Afghanistan
Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed policies severely restricting rights—particularly those of women and girls. They have banned women from many forms of employment and prohibited girls and women from attending secondary school and university. The Taliban have also carried out broad censorship and have detained and tortured journalists and activists. Groups affiliated with the Islamic State have carried out bombings targeting ethnic Hazaras-Shias and others, killing and injuring hundreds.
The Afghan economy collapsed after August 2021 when the US, World Bank, and other donors cut off foreign development assistance. Over 90 percent of the Afghan population faces food insecurity along with a rise in malnutrition-related disease.