While the group initially promised more moderate governance compared to the 1990s, reports indicate continued restrictions on women’s rights, media censorship, and suppression of dissent. Under the leadership of Mohammed Omar, the movement spread throughout most of Afghanistan, sequestering power from the Mujahideen warlords. The Taliban follow a fundamentalist interpretation of Sunni Islam, shaped by Deobandi teachings and Pashtun tribal traditions.
Their governance emphasizes strict enforcement of Islamic law, with policies that often conflict with international human rights standards, particularly regarding freedom of expression, gender equality, and minority rights. Most governments have not formally recognized the Taliban as Afghanistan’s legitimate government. The international community remains divided on how to engage with them, balancing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan with concerns about human rights and counterterrorism.
