[Q&A] Expert insight on our Afghanistan response

Learn about your impact two years later [View in Browser]( [Amnesty International candle logo]( [Your questions answered: An inside look at our crisis response in Afghanistan ]( Hi {NAME}, I recently reached out to ask if there was anything you wanted to know about Amnesty’s response to the human rights crisis in Afghanistan — and the responses were encouraging. Thank you to Leroy, Joan, Sheryl, Robynne, Ahmed, Karen, and so many others who submitted caring and thoughtful questions. I’m so grateful to work alongside a community of people who are so passionate about human rights. I’ve reviewed all of your submissions to provide you with answers below, but I first want to say thank you, {NAME}. Your support has been essential to our ability to shine a light on abuses and hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes. In the face of attacks on the rights of women and girls, Amnesty isn’t going anywhere — and I know that you are right there with us. Here are our answers to your most frequently asked questions: --------------------------------------------------------------- What does the situation on the ground look like today? There is a lot to say here. We knew that things would get much worse when the Taliban took over, and the situation today continues to be a human rights emergency. Over the past two years, the Taliban has escalated a rule of repression that has decimated human rights, especially for women and girls. [The Taliban's violations]( include the use of arbitrary arrest and detention, enforced disappearance, torture, and other ill-treatment. These are international crimes — organized, widespread, and systematic. And as hard as it is to say, much of the world has moved on from Afghanistan. The U.S. largely abandoned people requiring evacuation after withdrawing from the country. A lack of international attention has allowed the Taliban to act with impunity. Urgent action is needed to help people escape Taliban retribution and repression. --------------------------------------------------------------- Who has been most affected by the Taliban’s policies? The Taliban deliberately targets Afghan women and girls, seeking to control almost every aspect of their lives and deny them access to essential rights — from safety and security to bodily autonomy and education. [Amnesty’s latest research]( shows that the Taliban’s draconian policies against women amount to crimes against humanity of gender persecution. --------------------------------------------------------------- How has my support helped? Currently, Amnesty is one of the ONLY international human rights organizations with a team inside Afghanistan. As international organizations and global leaders have left the country, the Taliban may think that they can act with impunity because it seems like no one is watching. Our work is critical in making sure that’s not true. Afghans and the international community are relying on Amnesty to share the latest on what’s happening on the ground, who the Taliban is targeting, and why it matters. We’ve published major research like our [Death in Slow Motion report]( which amplifies the voices of 101 women and girls and affirms our findings around possible crimes against humanity. And we continue to urge leaders around the world to protect Afghan refugees and those at greatest risk who remain stranded in the country. In addition to our investigations and campaigning, with your help, we’ve provided more than $1 million in essential resources and relocation assistance to over 1,000 human rights defenders and families in Afghanistan. --------------------------------------------------------------- Why should the Taliban care about anything the U.S. says? Several of the Afghan activists who we interviewed shared that many Taliban leaders today are more concerned about how they are perceived internationally than previous leaders. The Taliban is aware of what the world thinks and as a result, they go to great lengths to conceal human rights violations. With more attention, we can expose the Taliban’s crimes and mount international pressure to implement targeted sanctions, travel bans, and resolutions that force the Taliban to end their cruelty. --------------------------------------------------------------- Where can we look to find hope in Afghanistan? I am incredibly inspired by the courage and bravery of Afghans, especially women and girls. In the past two years, we’ve spoken with so many women activists who continue to take to the streets and fight for their rights. Even as the Taliban’s restrictions have left them with no resources and endangered their safety — women and girls refuse to be silenced. The young girls who still dream of pursuing their education, and the mothers who are doing everything it takes to preserve the future for their children, show us what a thriving and great country Afghanistan will be again. Women are risking their lives to defend their rights and Amnesty remains committed to amplifying their voices. --------------------------------------------------------------- What can I do to help? One of the most important actions that you can take today is [adding your name to our campaign to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.]( This piece of legislation, which was just recently reintroduced to Congress, would ensure that there is a roadmap to citizenship for Afghans who have fled their country and expand humanitarian pathways for Afghans who have been left behind. Without this legal framework, tens of thousands of Afghans in the U.S. face the prospect of being returned to Afghanistan and facing retaliation from the Taliban — a threat that could mean forced detention or death. --------------------------------------------------------------- The world is counting on our Amnesty movement to document what's happening on the ground, seek accountability, and demand change. We’ll keep you informed on the latest updates and share ways to help. [For now, take a moment to urge Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act and secure a path to safety for thousands of Afghans.]( Thank you for being part of our critical work, Daniel Balson Advocacy Director, Europe and Central Asia Amnesty International USA [DONATE NOW]( © 2023 Amnesty International USA 311 W 43rd Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10036 | 1-800-AMNESTY Please don't reply to this email. You can send questions to aimember@aiusa.org. 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