The Taliban has defended Afghanistan’s security forces after a UN report raised concerns over transparency and accountability within security institutions….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan on Tuesday defended the performance of its security forces after a United Nations report raised concerns over a lack of transparency and accountability within the country’s security institutions.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Afghan National Security Agency, acknowledged that problems could exist in some cases but attributed the country’s current security and stability to the work of the security forces, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported.
“There may be problems in some cases, but the activities of the security forces have resulted in the current security and stability in the country,” Mujahid said in response to the UN report.
The 38-page UNAMA report on Security Sector Accountability in Afghanistan was released on Monday. It examined measures taken by the Taliban authorities since they seized power in August 2021 to establish oversight and accountability within the country’s main security institutions.
The report acknowledged that the authorities had taken some steps to promote discipline and oversight. These included issuing directives, setting up internal monitoring units within major security institutions and establishing new bodies tasked with addressing alleged misconduct by security personnel.
However, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said these measures had not been accompanied by sufficient transparency regarding how oversight and accountability mechanisms function.
“UNAMA found that while such steps have been taken, they have not been accompanied by sufficient transparency on oversight and accountability measures by de facto security institutions,” the UN mission said in a statement.
UNAMA pointed to several bodies established by the Taliban authorities, including the de facto Security and Filtration Commission, the High Directorate of Supervision and Monitoring of Decrees and Edicts, the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Commission for Hearing Complaints, and the Supreme Court.
The UN mission said it had documented cases in which Taliban authorities arrested and investigated security personnel over reported misconduct.
However, it also found that many complaints reportedly remained unresolved.
UNAMA said fear of reprisals, a lack of trust in the authorities and other barriers discouraged people from reporting alleged misconduct. Women face additional difficulties because of restrictions affecting their daily lives, the report said.
“The limited amount of public information on complaints received, investigations conducted, and disciplinary or judicial actions taken by relevant de facto bodies undermines confidence and weaken deterrence,” said Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Officer-in-Charge of UNAMA.
The report assessed accountability efforts across Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
It said greater transparency was needed to demonstrate how complaints against security personnel were handled and what disciplinary or judicial measures were taken in response.
The UN assessment comes as the Taliban continues to face international scrutiny over governance, human rights and the functioning of state institutions since taking control of Afghanistan.
The Taliban has repeatedly highlighted the reduction in violence and improved security as major achievements since returning to power, while international organisations have raised concerns over restrictions on fundamental rights and the lack of transparent and accountable institutions.
The latest exchange underscores the differing assessments of Afghanistan’s security environment. While the Taliban credits its security institutions with maintaining stability, UNAMA has called for greater openness and stronger accountability mechanisms within those institutions.
