The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Taliban security institutions have failed to provide data on complaints filed against their personnel, with many allegations of misconduct left unresolved.
According to IRAF, UNAMA’s latest report paints a concerning picture of accountability within the Taliban’s security apparatus, saying the group’s security institutions have published no official figures on complaints received against their personnel, how those complaints were investigated or whether they resulted in disciplinary action or criminal prosecution.
UNAMA said the lack of transparency was not a minor administrative shortcoming but a structural problem within the Taliban’s governance system.
Complaints Left Unresolved
In a key section of the report, UNAMA said it had examined multiple complaints concerning alleged misconduct by Taliban personnel that remained unresolved.
The complaints included violent conduct, abuse of authority, arbitrary detention and other unlawful treatment. However, Taliban security institutions have provided no information on the status of the complaints or what action, if any, was taken in response.
Fear of Retaliation Discourages Reporting
UNAMA said many Afghans refrain from filing complaints because they fear retaliation by Taliban forces and lack confidence in existing mechanisms for addressing grievances.
The mission warned that the absence of safeguards for complainants has left many cases of alleged misconduct unreported, obscuring the true scale of violations involving Taliban security personnel.
UNAMA Warns of Consequences of Lack of Accountability
UNAMA said the high number of unresolved complaints demonstrates the need for the Taliban administration to take stronger measures to hold its security forces accountable.
The mission stressed that a lack of transparency undermines public trust and weakens deterrence against misconduct.
According to UNAMA, accountability within security forces is a key measure of government performance, and the Taliban should take immediate steps to improve it.
UNAMA has repeatedly raised concerns in previous reports about weak oversight and accountability within the Taliban’s security structures.
Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, several oversight bodies, including the Security and Vetting Commission and the High Directorate for Oversight of Decrees and Edicts, have been established. However, these bodies have been criticized for a lack of transparency and have not published information on complaints, investigation procedures or their outcomes.
