Afghan Witness Reports

Taliban ban TikTok and PUBG, restrict controversial discussions in media and target political analysts

The Taliban's new vice and virtue law, ratified in July 2024, mandates severe restrictions on women's dress, public behaviour, and transportation, while also imposing limitations on the media and minorities.

On 28 July 2023, clashes erupted in Ghazni province when Taliban forces sought to disperse crowds, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries. Rejecting responsibility, the Taliban instead blamed the violence on "evil elements" in the crowd. AW investigates the events.

While no deaths were reported this year, the level of repression has increased, with ceremonies barred from public spaces amid reports of violence, arrests and protests.

On 5 May 2024, two local media outlets shared an old video, previously circulated in 2019 and 2022, showing Taliban members harassing an elderly Shia Ismaili man in Badakhshan; AW investigators confirmed the video’s age, highlighting ongoing repressions against Ismailis despite the footage being presented as new.

Shakoor's anti-Taliban speech departs from typical pro-Taliban Khutbas, and underscores the impact that dissenting religious voices can have against the Taliban regime

After three unclaimed killings of Shia scholars between 22 October and 1 December 2023, protests erupted in Herat against the Taliban’s alleged neglect of the Shia community. Questions remain about the perpetrators of these attacks, as ISKP, a militant group with a reputation for attacking Shias in Afghanistan has remained silent.

While events around the country took place largely peacefully, uniformed Taliban were recorded violently breaking up events in the capital.