UN chief Antonio Guterres says Taliban imposing ‘horrifying’ curbs on Afghan women's rights

The rebels have been moving closer to the capital and total control of Afghanistan, raising concerns of a return to the harsh rule that was deposed by the US-led invasion in 2001.  

In a recent statement, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that 'horrifying' allegations have emerged claiming that the Taliban have severely curtailed the rights of Afghan women and children in places they have controlled.

The rebels have been moving closer to the capital and total control of Afghanistan, raising concerns of a return to the harsh rule that was deposed by the US-led invasion in 2001.

He expressed serious concern over early evidence that the Taliban is imposing harsh limitations on human rights in regions under its control, notably targeting women and journalists.He went on to say that seeing tales of Afghan girls and women's hard-won rights being taken away is particularly shocking and distressing. He added that striking against people is a severe breach of international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime.

Individual troops, companies, and even whole divisions of Afghan security forces have surrendered, providing the terror organisation even more vehicles and military gear to fuel their rapid assault.