A month after seizing power after a lightning strike AfghanistanThe Taliban completed their interim government this week but their political agenda is still unclear.
The lack of clarity is raising concerns among Afghans and the international community that radical Islamists are moving to impose the same brutal policies against women and opponents that were seen in their previous regimes between 1996 and 2001.
While much remains opaque, here’s what we know about his political program so far.
– women’s rights –
This is one of the most eagerly awaited areas of Taliban policy.
How all-male leadership treats women is expected to be key to restarting the suspended Western economic aid on which the country depends.
Since returning to power on 15 August, the group has said that they will respect women’s rights in accordance with Islamic Sharia law, without elaborating. During his last reign, women were forced to wear the all-covering burqa, and were banned from work or study except in rare circumstances.
Most have been told not to return to work until a “new order” has been put in place by the Taliban, while some are staying at home for fear of future retaliation for being working women.
Girls are allowed to attend primary school but are excluded from secondary school.
The Taliban say the measures are temporary, but many remain distrustful of the group.
Afghan women studying in private universities can return to single-sex classes with strict conservative rules imposed on dress.
– freedom of press –
After taking power, the Taliban said that journalists – including women – could continue to work.
A Taliban spokesman told Reporters Without Borders, “We will respect the freedom of the press because media reporting will be useful to society and help correct leaders’ errors.”
A month later, the tone has changed. According to the RSF, the group has imposed 11 rules on Afghan journalists that they must now follow.
One of them is a ban on the transmission of “content contrary to Islam” or considered “insulting to public figures”.
Taliban says music is forbidden in Islam
Taliban says music is forbidden in Islam Aref Karimi AFP/File
The RSF said the rules could be used to open doors to harassment and censorship of journalists.
Many journalists fled the country even before these new guidelines were announced in mid-September.
Those who could not go out, they hide in the house for fear of retribution.
Recently some Afghan journalists were arrested or beaten up on the sidelines of anti-Taliban protests.
– Culture –
During their first term in power, the Taliban were infamous for their strict interpretation of Sharia law, banning music, photography, television and even children’s sports such as kite flying.
The group moved giant Buddha statues in Bamiyan months before being ousted from power.
This time, the Taliban has not yet issued an official decree regarding entertainment and culture.
“Music is forbidden in Islam,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the New York Times last month.
Music schools have closed and some players have broken their instruments.
Libraries, museums and galleries have also been closed, with heritage experts deeply concerned about whether ancient artifacts will be protected and access to literature will be allowed.
– Economy –
This is one of the most pressing challenges that the new government will have to deal with.
Afghanistan has been facing a financial crisis since the takeover, with much of the international aid that stagnated the economy.
The Taliban’s economic program is still very unclear.
“We are going to work on our natural resources and our resources to revive our economy,” the Mujahid said.
Taliban must change from insurgency to regime
Taliban will have to change from insurgency to ruling power Hoshang Hashimi AFP
But it remains to be seen how the Taliban will obtain money to pay the salaries of civil servants – or to support critical infrastructure to keep the lights on, water running and telecommunications running.
In the midst of a liquidity crisis and at a time when the population was already struggling to make a living, the movement said it had turned the page on corruption that had tarnished the previous government.
– Safety and medicines –
Many Afghans have reported an increased sense of security since the Taliban took power and the fighting ended.
But it has gone so far as to quell dissent by shooting mainly women-led protests into the air and subsequently effectively banning all demonstrations.
The Taliban also warned that “anyone who tries to start an insurgency will be hit hard”, in a message to resistance forces in Panjshir, who were defeated earlier this month.
They have also said they will wipe out the local branch of the jihadist group Islamic State, which has claimed several bombings in the past few weeks.
As for drugs, Taliban spokesman Mujahid promised that the new government would not turn Afghanistan, the world’s leading opium producer, into a de facto narco-state.
– Play –
Some sports were permitted under the first Taliban government, but they were strictly controlled and only men could play or participate in matches.
The Taliban government’s new sports chief, Bashir Ahmed Rustamzai, said they would allow about 400 sports “permitted by the laws of Islam” – but declined to clarify whether women could participate in any of them.
Statements from other Taliban members caused confusion, forcing players and the country’s athletes to take a step back.
Some of them have already fled and found refuge abroad.
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