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Country Case Studies

Afghanistan

Since retaking control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have persecuted and committed other egregious human rights violations against multiple civilian groups. These groups include ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, individuals affiliated with the former government and perceived opposition groups, the LGBTQIA+ community, media workers, and civil society actors. ISIS-K, an Islamic State affiliate, has also systematically targeted ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Hazara community. Growing restrictions on targeted groups within the country, coupled with a worsening humanitarian crisis, put civilians at great risk.

  • Mass Atrocity Crimes Against Women and Girls in Afghanistan

    This June 2024 report identifies troubling trends in the persecution of women and girls in Afghanistan. It shares recommendations for how the international community can best support efforts to hold the Taliban accountable for these crimes.

  • Policy Options for Preventing Mass Atrocities in Afghanistan

    There are warning signs of mass atrocities in Afghanistan. This August 2023 report identifies concerning trends and scenarios that warrant the international community’s attention. It shares policy recommendations to anticipate, prevent, and respond to mass atrocities.

  • Afghan women with young children walking down a dirt path with snowy mountains in the distance
    Risk of Mass Killing

    Our assessment, from the Early Warning Project, estimates the risk of mass killing in Afghanistan over the next year.

  • A crowd of Afghan women, all of them looking away from the camera except for one looking directly into it
    More Dangerous By the Day: The Taliban’s Attack on Women and Girls

    Women and girls in Afghanistan are enduring deepening human rights violations and waves of violence. A group of UN experts says the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls may amount to gender persecution, a crime against humanity.

  • The exterior of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
    Museum Statement on the Hazara

    The Museum is deeply concerned about grave threats facing many segments of Afghan society, including women and girls. In particular, we are concerned about ethnic and religious minorities, who face a risk of crimes against humanity or even genocide.

  • Three Afghan women praying. The United Nations symbol is watermarked in the top right corner
    Four Ways the U.S. Can Help Prevent Mass Atrocities in Afghanistan

    The Taliban’s takeover has increased the risk of mass atrocities. Here’s how the United States can help prevent them.

  • The roof exterior of the Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Washington Monument in the background
    Urgent Action Needed: Hazaras in Afghanistan Under Attack

    Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the risk of mass atrocities has increased for vulnerable groups, including ethnic and religious minorities. The Hazara community is experiencing increasing and widespread attacks by ISIS-KP and the Taliban alongside a history of persecution, necessitating an immediate response by the US and other governments.

  • The Hall of Witness in the Holocaust Memorial Museum
    Women and Hazara in Afghanistan Face Heightened Risk of Mass Atrocities After Taliban Takeover

    While the Taliban takeover threatens civilians across Afghanistan, the country’s women and girls and Hazara populations are at particular risk of mass atrocities. Even prior to the Taliban’s seizing control of the country, the Early Warning Project’s Statistical Risk Assessment ranked Afghanistan second in the world for the risk of a new onset of mass killing of civilians in 2020–21.

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Country Case Studies
Country Case Studies

Find information on historical cases of genocide and other atrocities.