Taliban Case Study - From Words to Deeds: ANSA Practice and Interpretation of IHL and Human Rights Norms

RESEARCH PAPER

Ashley Jackson, Rahmatullah Amiri

This case study explores the Afghan Taliban’s attitudes toward human rights and IHL norms. Compiling and analysing the Taliban’s views enables an understanding of how they perceived international law, the norms that enjoyed greater acceptance and those that were disputed. This case study responds to several inquiries, notably how Taliban internal dynamics and policies evolved and what factors might explain the gap between internal policies and public statements on the one hand, and practice on the ground on the other.

This research was conducted as part of the research project ‘From Words to Deeds: Providing Tools for an Effective Engagement of Armed Non-State Actors to Improve Humanitarian Protection,’ funded by UKRI and FCDO and hosted at the Centre on Conflicts, Development and Peacebuilding, Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies.