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LONDON: Australia’s new sanctions proposals against the Afghan Taliban are an “important step toward accountability” for the regime in Kabul, Human Rights Watch has said.

Amendments proposed to Canberra’s sanctions regime will allow Australia to target Taliban officials more directly, including through travel bans.

HRW said the changes to the Autonomous Sanctions Regulations would affect those involved in the oppression of females and minorities, as well as those “undermining good governance and the rule of law” in the country.

“It’s crucial for the Australian government to take action against Taliban leaders responsible for the assault on women and girls’ rights and other egregious abuses in Afghanistan,” said Daniela Gavshon, HRW’s Australia director.

“The amended sanctions regulations will allow Australia to join with other countries already taking steps to oppose the Taliban’s widespread and systematic oppression.”

The Taliban have been internationally condemned since retaking power in Afghanistan in August 2021 for their oppression of females, minorities and political opponents. 

The UN has warned that the Taliban are practising “gender apartheid” with severe limits placed on females’ right to work, education or to operate freely. Gender persecution is recognized as a crime against humanity, HRW said.

“The Australian government should use targeted sanctions as an important foreign policy tool against the Taliban to press for accountability for serious abuses,” Gavshon said. 

“Imposing sanctions on abusive leaders is one of several measures that can raise the cost of committing human rights violations in Afghanistan and elsewhere.”

Afghanistan has also become unsafe for a multitude of other people since the Taliban’s resurgence, with censorship normalized and the torture of journalists and activists commonplace, HRW added.