Web Desk: The United States has designated Afghanistan as a “State Sponsor of Wrongful Detention,” with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accusing the ruling Taliban of using detainees to extract policy concessions.
Rubio made the announcement in a statement on the social media platform X, emphasising that the United States would not bow to coercive tactics by Afghanistan’s interim authorities.
“The Taliban continue to use terrorist tactics to seek policy concessions, but it won’t work under this administration,” Rubio said.
The Secretary of State specifically called on the Taliban to release Americans currently held in Afghanistan, including Dennis Coyle and Mahmood Habibi, describing their detention as unjust.
“The Taliban must release Dennis Coyle, Mahmood Habibi, and all Americans unjustly detained in Afghanistan,” Rubio added, warning that continued detentions would further isolate the regime from the international community.
Rubio’s designation comes amid mounting international concern over the Taliban’s broader human rights record. Since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021, the interim authorities have systematically curtailed rights, including barring girls from secondary education, restricting women’s participation in the workforce, and limiting freedom of expression.
Human rights groups say these policies have deepened economic hardship in the country, contributing to widespread unemployment, food insecurity, and rising poverty. Analysts note that Afghanistan’s economic woes are intertwined with the regime’s oppressive policies, which have also led to the suspension of international aid and frozen assets.
The designation signals a tougher U.S. stance, aiming to draw global attention to both the unlawful detention of foreign nationals and the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
U.S. officials say the move seeks to pressure the Taliban to release detainees while also encouraging reforms that protect basic human rights and restore access to education and economic opportunities for Afghan citizens.
While the Taliban have previously defended their actions as lawful under Afghan regulations, international observers warn that continued violations could further isolate the regime and worsen conditions for ordinary Afghans.
