Human rights concerns rise over Taliban rule and Iranian paramilitary deployments

Human rights organizations and the European Union have raised alarms regarding the deteriorating humanitarian and security situations in Afghanistan and southeastern Iran.

In Afghanistan, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett reported that Taliban rule has intensified, fundamentally altering the country's social structure. The European Union issued a statement condemning systematic human rights violations, specifically noting the deprivation of education for girls and the restriction of civil liberties. The EU suggested that the widespread persecution of women and girls could constitute “gender-based persecution, as a crime against humanity.”

Simultaneously, reports indicate the deployment of significant numbers of Fatemiyoun and Zainebiyoun paramilitary forces—composed of Afghan and Pakistani citizens—to the Sistan and Baluchestan province in Iran. These forces, reportedly mobilized by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have been stationed in various locations including Zahedan, Chabahar, and Iranshahr. Local concerns have grown regarding the potential use of these groups to suppress domestic protests within Iran.