The Cost of Silence

Personal stories of survival, courage, and the fight for justice.

In Their Words

These stories were gathered through interviews and translated by our team. A filtering system is provided to help you navigate them. They are personal testimonials—not official witness statements—and names and details have been changed to protect privacy.

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Taliban Shut Down 16 Educational Centers in Paktia Province

Name: Khalil Region: Paktia Province My name is Khalil, from Paktia province. I graduated in Civil Engineering from Kabul Polytechnic University. During the Republic era, alongside my university studies, I worked...
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Taliban Crackdown on NGOs in Takhar

Name: Fawad Region: Takhar My name is Fawad from Takhar province. I graduated from Takhar University. From 2020 until the fall of Afghanistan, I worked as an advisor in a government...
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Taliban Atrocities and Suppression of Women’s Rights in Farah Province

Name: Farima Hosseini Region: Farah province I am an independent woman from Farah province, a region where, during the Republic era, many women were actively pursuing education. Girls had access to...
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Taliban Arbitrarily Arrests Four Civilians Including Two Educators

Name: Shayesta Region: Takhar and Kabul Provinces I live in Kabul and run a tailoring workshop. My husband is the president of one of the private universities in Kabul. After the...
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Public Flogging and Forced Marriage Orders in Kapisa

Name: Nafisa My name is Nafisa, and I am from Kapisa province. During the republic, I was a teacher. After the Taliban came to power, I began working on human...
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Taliban Shut Girls’ Education Center in Ghor, Teachers Arrested

Name: Sharifa Region: Ghor province My name is Sharifa. I graduated in 1400 (2021) with a degree in Law and Political Science. Due to my strong interest in civic engagement, I...
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Taliban Imprison More Than 1,300 Women

Name: Nastaran Region: Kabul Province The Taliban have taken the people of Afghanistan, especially women, hostage. This hostage-taking includes the closure of universities to Afghan girls, the removal of women from...
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Suicide of Ex-Government Official Following Wife’s Detention

Name: Sara Region: Kabul Province I have been working in the field of women’s rights for the past three years. Previously, I was a teacher. My eldest daughter was in the...
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Taliban Implement Image Ban in Badakhshan Province

Name: Saeed Region: Badakhshan province My name is Saeed, a journalist from Badakhshan province. I graduated in 2019 (1398 in the Afghan calendar) with a degree in Journalism from Badakhshan University....
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Taliban Raid Wedding Over Music in Badakhshan

Name: Farzana Province: Badakhshan I am Farzana from Badakhshan. After completing my university studies, I was selected as an intern at a local organization. This was a great opportunity for me,...
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