Once Imprisoned Taliban Members, Afghan Women Judges Hunted

THE HAGUE – Feeling safe in Europe after fleeing Kabul, a hakim woman Afghanistan describes how he was hunted by the man he had thrown into prison. The man has been freed by the warrior Taliban who took over the country.

“Four or five members of the Taliban came and asked the people in my house: ‘Where is this female judge?’ These are the people I put in jail,” he said in an interview from an undisclosed location, asking not to be named. Reuters, Saturday (4/9/2021).

Afghanistan has about 250 female judges. Some have managed to escape in recent weeks, but most have fallen behind and are still trying to get out, say international colleagues and activists who have formed a network that works around the clock to help them escape.

The Taliban, who came to power last month when the United States withdrew its troops, barred women from most jobs when they last ruled the country 20 years ago.

At a press conference shortly after they captured Kabul on August 15, a Taliban spokesman said women’s rights would be protected in accordance with Islamic law. They will also be allowed to work in important sectors of society.

Also read: Declare Amnesty, Taliban Urge Women to Join Government

Western powers say they are ready to engage with the Taliban but want to see action – not just promises – to protect human rights.

Women working in justice have been high-profile targets before. Two female Supreme Court judges were shot dead by unidentified gunmen in January. A Taliban spokesman said at the time that the group was not involved.

“Now, the Taliban has released detainees across the country, which is really endangering the lives of female judges,” the Afghan judge said.

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