News Desk
CANBERRA: Australia imposed financial and travel sanctions on Afghanistan’s chief justice and three senior ministers, citing their direct role in worsening the country’s human rights crisis under Taliban rule.
Foreign minister Penny Wong said the measures were introduced in response to “the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation”, particularly the sweeping restrictions placed on women and girls since the Taliban retook power. She accused the four officials of limiting education, employment, freedom of movement and participation in public life for millions of Afghan women.
Wong said the move formed part of a new Australian sanctions framework designed to increase pressure on Taliban leaders by allowing targeted financial and travel bans. Australia had been part of the NATO-led international force for nearly two decades, helping train Afghan security personnel and fighting the Taliban after they were removed from power in the early 2000s.
