The three years following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan have been filled with violence and fear for employees and allies of U.S. and NATO forces left behind under Taliban rule. The Afghan prosecutors trained by U.S. personnel to enforce the rule of law and prosecute terrorists have become prime targets for the Taliban seeking revenge against those who put them behind bars. Many prosecutors have been killed, injured, or tortured since the U.S. withdrawal, with many more believed to be locked up in Taliban prisons or living in hiding in desperate need of assistance.
Legal professionals in Afghanistan who worked to protect women’s rights have also seen their efforts reversed under Taliban rule. The Taliban have revoked divorce decrees and closed domestic abuse shelters, leading to women being taken to Taliban jails where they face abuse and violence. Afghan women are no longer allowed to attend UN-led meetings with the Taliban, prompting concerns about the Taliban’s oppressive treatment of women. Many Afghan legal professionals, including prosecutors and lawyers, are now forced to live in hiding or seek refuge in other countries to escape persecution.
Efforts are underway by U.S.-based attorneys, such as members of the Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, to support Afghan prosecutors and legal professionals. They are advocating for legislative efforts to extend access to the Special Immigrant Visa program for Afghan prosecutors and judges who are at special risk in Afghanistan. There is also a push to raise funds to move Afghan prosecutors living in hiding to safe third countries, with estimates suggesting it will cost around $15 million to relocate them.
There is hope that government support for Afghan prosecutors is forthcoming, with efforts underway to include former prosecutors in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The State Department has been more receptive to including former prosecutors, especially women, in the program. However, the process of relocating Afghan prosecutors to safety is slow and bureaucratic, with many still waiting for acceptance and processing through the program.
Despite the challenges faced by Afghan legal professionals, there are some signs of progress in supporting them. Many former prosecutors who have been targeted by the Taliban are now awaiting acceptance into the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, while efforts are being made to expedite their applications. The State Department has expressed gratitude to Americans who have helped welcome Afghan refugees to the U.S. over the past three years, but concerns remain about the safety and well-being of Afghan legal professionals still living in hiding or facing deportation.
The plight of Afghan prosecutors and legal professionals is deeply personal for those who worked alongside them in Afghanistan. Many former military personnel and career prosecutors have been advocating for the protection and support of Afghan prosecutors, calling on the government to honor its promises to Afghan allies. The moral imperative to help those who risked their lives to support U.S. efforts in Afghanistan is clear, and efforts are ongoing to ensure the safety and well-being of Afghan legal professionals facing persecution under Taliban rule.
