Human Rights Watch has raised serious concerns over the Taliban’s nationwide internet shutdowns in Afghanistan, which began in mid-September 2025 and were fully implemented by the end of the month. The blackout has severely disrupted access to education, commerce, media, and healthcare services, undermining the livelihoods and fundamental rights of millions of Afghans. Taliban officials justified the shutdowns as a measure to prevent “immoral behavior,” initially targeting fiber optic networks in northern provinces before extending to Kabul on September 29, affecting both fiber and mobile internet.
The internet shutdown has caused widespread disruption across sectors. Businesses reported operational difficulties, and flights to and from Kabul airport were canceled. Students, particularly women and girls already restricted from secondary and higher education, were unable to attend online classes, limiting one of their few remaining avenues for learning and engagement. Of 28 university students enrolled in an online class, only nine were able to connect due to the blackout.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected, with the shutdown isolating them from digital platforms that provide education, employment, and community services. Activists highlighted that women-led initiatives and services for vulnerable groups are particularly hindered, exacerbating social and gender inequalities. Journalists also reported severe limitations, with mobile and fiber-optic disruptions preventing both local and international communication, including via WhatsApp and Signal, making it extremely difficult to document events on the ground.
The blackout has additionally hampered humanitarian operations, which rely on internet connectivity for coordination, outreach, and aid delivery. United Nations humanitarian coordinator Indrika Ratwatte emphasized that the shutdown adds another layer of crisis to an already precarious situation, directly affecting the delivery of essential aid.
Access to the internet is widely recognized as essential for a range of human rights, including freedom of expression, political participation, education, work, and healthcare. The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has documented the severe consequences of internet shutdowns, noting how they worsen pre-existing social, economic, and gender-based disparities. Both the OHCHR and the UN Human Rights Council have urged governments to avoid such restrictive measures.
Human Rights Watch warned that the continued internet shutdown will further isolate Afghans from the world, amplifying its harmful effects on individuals and the broader country. Fereshta Abbasi, an Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch, called on the Taliban to abandon their “baseless rationales” and restore internet access immediately to prevent further damage to the population and the nation.
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