People's Tribunal for Afghan Women: A Call for Accountability Against the Taliban

The People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan convened in Madrid, Spain, from October 8 to 10, 2025, to address the Taliban's systematic violations of women's rights since their return to power in August 2021. Organized by four Afghan civil society organizations—Rawadari, the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization (AHRDO), the Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS), and Human Rights Defenders Plus—the tribunal aimed to amplify the voices of Afghan women and document human rights abuses in the absence of formal judicial mechanisms.

People’s Tribunal for Afghanistan’s Women Begins in SpainConclusion of the People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan: Testimonies Against the Taliban and Systemic Crimes DocumentedActivists: People’s tribunal on Taliban ‘a cry from broken hearts’

Over three days, 22 women testified about their experiences of torture, humiliation, and restrictions imposed by the Taliban. The tribunal heard accounts of gender-based crimes, denial of education, and prohibitions on political participation. Witnesses described being arrested for protesting, facing violence for not adhering to strict dress codes, and enduring psychological trauma from Taliban oppression. One female journalist recounted her detention and mistreatment, highlighting the Taliban's crackdown on media freedoms and the targeting of women journalists.

Conclusion of the People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan: Testimonies Against the Taliban and Systemic Crimes DocumentedFemale Journalist Testifies At People’s Tribunal On Taliban ViolencePeople’s Tribunal Sessions on Taliban Crimes against the Afghan People Conclude in Spain

The tribunal's judges emphasized that the evidence presented indicates a coordinated campaign by the Taliban to erase women from public life, constituting gender persecution as defined in Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute. They noted that the Taliban's actions violate international human rights treaties to which Afghanistan is a party. The judges warned that normalizing the Taliban's behavior could have dire consequences for women's rights globally.

Conclusion of the People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan: Testimonies Against the Taliban and Systemic Crimes DocumentedActivists: People’s tribunal on Taliban ‘a cry from broken hearts’

The tribunal's final statement called for accountability and reparations for victims, urging the international community to recognize the Taliban's actions as crimes against humanity. Ghazal Haris, a judge at the tribunal, stressed that the Taliban's actions must not be normalized, while Rashida Manjoo, chair of the judicial panel, commended the courage of Afghan women who testified despite the risks involved. The tribunal plans to issue a final verdict within two months, with the evidence gathered intended for submission to formal international courts.

Conclusion of the People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan: Testimonies Against the Taliban and Systemic Crimes DocumentedActivists: People’s tribunal on Taliban ‘a cry from broken hearts’Three Days of 'Gender Apartheid' Under the Microscope of Justice; Shocking Testimonies Against the Taliban in Madrid

While the tribunal was praised by human rights activists, concerns remain regarding the Taliban's lack of response to the proceedings. The Taliban were formally invited to defend themselves but did not participate, raising questions about the effectiveness of such symbolic courts in achieving justice. Critics argue that without formal legal power, the tribunal's findings may not lead to tangible accountability for the Taliban.

Conclusion of the People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan: Testimonies Against the Taliban and Systemic Crimes Documented

The tribunal's organizers aim to use the documentation gathered to influence global public opinion and advocate for the recognition of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity. The final verdict is expected to be released in December 2025, with hopes that it will serve as a historical document for future accountability efforts.

Three Days of 'Gender Apartheid' Under the Microscope of Justice; Shocking Testimonies Against the Taliban in Madrid

• “The final statement of the tribunal added: “The Taliban have systematically targeted women activists and used surveillance systems to suppress those participating in protests.” — Tribunal Prosecutors

Conclusion of the People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan: Testimonies Against the Taliban and Systemic Crimes Documented

• “This tribunal is an opportunity to awaken the world’s conscience,” — Afghan Women’s Movement for Justice and Awareness

Activists: People’s tribunal on Taliban ‘a cry from broken hearts’

• “The memories of prison are like a wound that has never healed, every time you try to push it away, it opens again,” — Zarmina Paryani, Testifying Survivor

‘Good enough’: Afghan women seek justice at the people’s tribunal in Madrid

• “We have no political rights, no right to vote or be represented in parliament.” — Anonymous Testimony

‘Good enough’: Afghan women seek justice at the people’s tribunal in Madrid

The People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan represents a significant effort to document and challenge the ongoing human rights violations faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule, seeking to ensure their voices are heard and justice is pursued.

People’s Tribunal for Afghanistan’s Women Begins in SpainActivists: People’s tribunal on Taliban ‘a cry from broken hearts’Conclusion of the People’s Tribunal for the Women of Afghanistan: Testimonies Against the Taliban and Systemic Crimes Documented