The Roots of Taliban's Attack on Human Rights Violations in Afghanistan

Authors: Paige Nosenchuck, Ivani Vassoler-Froelich

SUNY Campus: SUNY Fredonia

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: UU 108

Presentation #: 83

Timeslot: Session D 3:00-4:00 PM

Abstract: This presentation examines the fundamental causes behind the Taliban's persistent abuses of women's rights in Afghanistan, focusing on the political, cultural, and religious beliefs that influence the group's practices. The study examines the Taliban's extremist interpretation of Islam and analyzes it in the larger context of Islamic extremism seen in nations like Saudi Arabia and Iran. This research project tracks the circumstances that made it possible for the Taliban to take control of Afghanistan in the late 20th century by looking at the country's pre-Soviet political climate and how the Cold War influenced regional conflicts. It also takes into account the period of US intervention, contrasting the relative advancements in women's rights during foreign occupation with those rights during the Taliban regime. My methodology combines historical research with political analysis to assess how the Taliban uses their specific view of fundamentalism to justify their severe restrictions on women. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the global response to the Taliban’s actions, with a focus on the actions of the UN, the EU, and humanitarian groups, as well as the challenges faced by the US in dealing with the regime. The conclusion addresses the complex intersection of religious ideology and human rights, proposing avenues for future international engagement with the Taliban.