Islamic Emirate Slams Australian Sanctions as “Unjust and Baseless”

Australia on Saturday imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, citing what it described as the “deterioration of human rights in the country, particularly for women and girls.”

The sanctions target the Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, the Minister of Higher Education, the Minister of Justice, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong accused them of restricting women’s and girls’ access to education, employment, freedom of movement, and participation in public life.

She stated: “We have imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on three so-called Taliban ‘ministers’ and the so-called Taliban ‘Chief Justice’ for their involvement in the oppression of women and girls and in undermining good governance or the rule of law. This includes restricting access to education, employment, freedom of movement and the ability to participate in public life.”

A spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate condemned the Australian sanctions as unjust.

Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the Islamic Emirate has no trade or diplomatic dealings with Australia.

He said: “These sanctions are baseless and unfair. Moreover, the Islamic Emirate, its cabinet, and ministers have no dealings with Australia, nor is there any need for such relations.”

In response to Australia’s decision, the spokesperson for the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said that imposing sanctions on officials of the Islamic Emirate is nothing new. According to him, countries that impose such sanctions neither understand the definition of women’s rights nor are committed to ensuring them.

Saif-ul-Salam Khyber added that, in recent years, efforts have been made to prevent violations of women’s rights.

He said: “They think Afghans should implement the same culture and customs as in their own countries. This is a sign of disrespect for our cultural and religious values, and a mockery of those values.”

Australia was one of the countries that withdrew its forces from Afghanistan in August 2021. Prior to that, during the two decades of international involvement, Australian troops were part of the NATO-led coalition that trained Afghan security forces under the former government.