Afghanistan
‘It so clearly discriminates against Muslims’: India rolls out faith-based test for citizenship
A new law that provides refugees with a path to Indian citizenship went into effect in March. But it’s controversial because it excludes refugees who are Muslims. There were widespread protests in 2019 when it was first passed and now India’s supreme court is hearing a bunch of petitions against it.
Women in Afghanistan are devastated by the Taliban’s ban on beauty salons
The Taliban have given all women’s beauty salons in Afghanistan one month to close down. The ultraconservative group, which took power by force in 2021, has consistently chipped away at women’s rights and freedoms in the country.
After Taliban ban, women NGO workers in Afghanistan struggle to make ends meet
Last December, in yet another blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban announced a ban on women working for nongovernmental organizations. Thousands of women lost their jobs overnight. The months since have been some of the most difficult for them.
Afghans who fled to the US hope that Congress will fix their status
After Afghanistan fell to the Taliban almost two years ago in August, tens of thousands of Afghans made their way to the United States. They were allowed to stay under a program called “humanitarian parole.” But that status expires in a couple of months, and although they can renew one time, many are calling for Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which would allow them to seek more permanent status.
US special envoy: Taliban ‘puts women’s right at peril everywhere’
With continued violations of women’s rights in Afghanistan, US Special Envoy Rina Amiri tells The World’s host Marco Werman that not normalizing the Taliban government is crucial to fighting hardline elements in the country, and for setting a precedent in other places.
He spoke out against banning girls’ education. The Taliban silenced him.
Ismail Mashal used to teach at two universities in Afghanistan. He ran his own education centers and was an outspoken critic of the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education. He was arrested earlier this month, along with another academic and a journalist.