By Khalid Ramizy, August 29, 2024
When Canada joined the US-led NATO mission to topple the repressive Taliban regime in Afghanistan in 2001, no one could have imagined the fighting would last more than a decade.
By the time the last Canadian troops left in 2014, more than 40,000 Canadian Forces members had served in the war-torn country, and 158 soldiers had given their lives trying to bring freedom and democracy to the people of Afghanistan.
Unfortunately, the fighting continued, and in August 2021, the Taliban returned to power.
It’s now been three years since the hardline Islamic regime drove out Afghanistan’s legitimate democratic government, and the impact Taliban rule on Afghan society is starkly evident. The regime’s radical religious vision remains unchanged from its previous rule between 1996 and 2001. The Taliban is systematically denying the basic rights of people in Afghanistan and imposing severe restrictions on individual freedoms through a misguided interpretation of Sharia law, particularly targeting women and minority groups.
Afghanistan under the Taliban has no freedom of expression, assembly, or the press. The country is a breeding ground for radical extremist groups such as ISKP (a branch of ISIS based in south-central Asia), Al-Qaida, and the TTP (an offshoot of the Taliban that operates around the Afghanistan/Pakistan border). Meanwhile, authoritarian regimes like Iran, China, and Russia are seeking a greater role and influence in the war-torn country.
Afghanistan under Taliban rule poses a dire threat to global security, including Canada’s. As a long-standing supporter of democratic values in Afghanistan, Canada must take decisive action to prevent the further growth of extremism, help to thwart authoritarian regimes’ ambitions, and actively promote human rights and freedoms in Afghanistan.
What is happening in Afghanistan now?
Since the collapse of the Afghanistan republic government on August 15, 2021, the Taliban have reimposed a regime of fear and repression. The rights of women and girls have been particularly targeted, with education and employment opportunities largely denied to them. According to UNESCO the current authoritarian regime has denied approximately 1.2 million Afghan girls access to secondary schools and universities in Afghanistan. The International Labour Organization reports that Afghan women’s employment has witnessed a staggering decline of more than 25 per cent since the Taliban’s return. The media is heavily censored, with Afghanistan ranking 178th out of 180 countries in the . Dissent is met with harsh punishment, including arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings.
Humanitarian crises have deepened, with more than 28 million people – over two-thirds of the population – relying on humanitarian aid for survival, and nearly more than food insecurity. The healthcare system is in shambles, with critical shortages of medical supplies and personnel. Recent human rights surveys highlight the Taliban regime’s hostility towards and active persecution of minority groups, including Hazaras, Shias, Sikhs, and Hindus, who consistently face threats and attacks. Additionally, the rapid growth of ISKP within the country and an expanding network of Taliban Madrasas pose further challenges as they brainwash Afghan youth to propagate their ideology.
The Taliban’s rule has not only reversed two decades of progress but is emboldening extremist groups across the region. The turmoil and instability has opened the door to authoritarian regimes like China exploit Afghanistan’s natural resources for its own interests and use the country as a hub to consolidate its influence.
How Canada Can Make a Difference in Afghanistan?
Canada played a crucial role in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2014. It actively fought the Taliban and trained the Afghan National Army and Police, contributing to NATO’s security efforts. Beyond military involvement, Canada focused on reconstruction, improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and women’s rights. Canadians also provided substantial humanitarian aid and supported elections and governance reforms. Canada invested heavily in the country to support human rights and democratic values. Now, it must act against the Taliban’s oppressive regime as well as the bad actors who seek to profit from the country’s misery.
Some concrete steps include:
- Support civic resistance:Based on insights from the “Toronto Dialogue on Afghanistan,” organized by the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and the World Anti Extremism Network last March, further military action to restore democracy in Afghanistan is unrealistic. Therefore, Canada should take meaningful steps to support grassroots organizations, scholars, media, women’s groups, traditional civil society, and community development councils. This includes empowering religious scholars who can produce counter-narratives to the extremist ideologies propagated by the Taliban, as well as supporting organizations on the ground that are working for human dignity and pluralism.
- Re-envision Canada’s role:The Canadian government should seek a more constructive role in Afghanistan. Since departing the country, Canada has noticeably shown little interest in addressing the current issues facing Afghanistan. Canada should seek to be an active changemaker.
- Recognize gender apartheid as a crime:Canada can collaborate with Afghan women activists and human rights organizations to amplify their voices and advocate for the recognition of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity in Afghanistan.
- Humanitarian aid:Canada can increase its humanitarian aid and adjust its sanctions to address the ongoing crises in Afghanistan, including food insecurity, healthcare shortages, and education gaps. By working with international organizations and NGOs, Canada can ensure that aid reaches those most in need, particularly women, children, and minority groups. This aid must be transparent and include strong accountability measures to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Taliban.
- Supporting refugees and allies:Since August 2021, Canada has welcomed 53,690 Afghans whose lives were in danger due to their involvement with Canadian organizations and military forces. Canada can continue to offer asylum and resettlement programs for Afghan refugees, particularly those who worked with Canadian forces or NGOs. Additionally, Canada should support Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries, which are hosting large numbers of Afghan refugees.
- Countering authoritarian influence and exploitation:As authoritarian regimes like China, Iran, and Russia increasingly collaborate and exert influence in Afghanistan, Canada can play a crucial role in supporting NGOs, scholars, and activists to counter these interventions. In particular, China is extracting Afghanistan’s mineral resources without proper agreements, exploiting the country’s wealth while allegedly supporting terrorism in the region. Furthermore, China is now attempting to influence the work and activities of NGOs in Afghanistan, undermining their efforts to promote human rights and democratic values. Canada must take practical actions to support local and international organizations that resist these authoritarian influences, providing funding, resources, and platforms for these groups. This support is essential to prevent the ideological manipulation of Afghan youth towards extremism or authoritarian socialism, which could destabilize Afghanistan and harm its democratic future.
- Supporting girls’ education and economic empowerment: With the severe restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan, Canada can make a meaningful impact by offering scholarships and opportunities for Afghan girls to study abroad, providing them with the education they are denied at home. Additionally, Canada can support the entrepreneurial initiatives of Afghan women, who are now turning to small businesses as one of the few ways to work and sustain themselves. By funding and mentoring these entrepreneurial ventures, Canada can help Afghan women gain economic independence and resilience, empowering them to contribute to their communities and resist the oppressive restrictions imposed by the Taliban.
- Supporting the Afghan Diaspora in Canada:Canada should support the Afghan diaspora living within its borders to enable them to play a significant role in Afghanistan’s future political landscape. Strengthening and empowering the Afghan intellectual community in Canada is a vital way to contribute to the stability and future governance of Afghanistan. By providing resources and platforms for the Afghan diaspora to engage in meaningful political dialogue and initiatives, Canada can ensure that these individuals are well-positioned to influence positive change in Afghanistan’s future.
- International collaboration and leadership: Canada must increase its collaboration with international partners and assume an active role in addressing the ongoing challenges in Afghanistan. By leading international initiatives, Canada can encourage other countries to support the establishment of an inclusive and democratic Afghanistan. This includes advocating for coordinated efforts to protect human rights, promote education, and support economic development.
Conclusion
Three years after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan faces a dire situation marked by severe human rights violations, the suppression of freedoms, and the growing influence of extremist and authoritarian forces.
As a country with a long history of involvement in Afghanistan, Canada has both the responsibility and the capacity to make a meaningful difference in the country’s future. By supporting civic resistance, re-envisioning its role, and increasing humanitarian aid, Canada can help mitigate the suffering of the Afghan people and counter the dangerous ideologies spreading across the region.
Further, by recognizing gender apartheid as a crime, supporting Afghan refugees and allies, and actively countering authoritarian influence, Canada can stand as a defender of human rights and democratic values. Additionally, providing educational opportunities for Afghan girls and empowering women economically will be crucial steps in ensuring that Afghanistan does not lose its next generation to oppression. Finally, Canada must take a proactive leadership role, strengthening international collaboration to build a stable, inclusive, and democratic Afghanistan.
Through these actions, Canada can fulfill its commitment to Afghanistan, helping to secure a future where all Afghans can live in dignity and freedom.
Khalid Ramizy is a human rights activist from Afghanistan who started his advocacy at a young age, following the collapse of the Taliban regime in 2001. He serves as the chief executive officer of the World Anti-Extremism Network, an international non-profit organization headquartered in Canada dedicated to creating a world free from violent extremism and authoritarianism, and is a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute. He holds a B.A. in Law & Political Science and an M.A. in Educational Management.
