The Future of Human Rights in Afghanistan: Between Rule and Agency

The conference "Advancing Human Rights in Afghanistan: Between Rule and Agency" aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and critical reflection on the current state of human rights in Afghanistan. It seeks to blend cutting-edge research with practical solutions, ensuring that diverse perspectives and experiences on human rights issues are represented. 

Background and Focus

More than three years have passed since the Taliban seized power of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021. Since then, the country has faced a deepening humanitarian and human rights crisis. Human rights organizations have repeatedly pointed out that policies imposed by the Taliban clearly violate Afghanistan’s obligations under international human rights law. The ongoing humanitarian crisis has added complexity and challenges to this already difficult situation, with an estimated 29 million Afghans in need of humanitarian aid. At the same time as the humanitarian needs are growing, donors are retracting and cutting finds while there are indications that the Taliban increasingly are interfering in the operations of aid agencies.

This conference aims to address the grave human rights situation in Afghanistan by providing a platform for an evidence based dialogue on key issues of concern, combining theoretical understandings with practical approaches. The objective is to explore how the latest advances in human rights research on Afghanistan can interact with the work carried out by human rights practitioners, in order to generate new knowledge and actionable policy recommendations. By bringing together human rights academics, practitioners, and activists, the conference will explore solutions, share knowledge, and provide a space for the participants to strategize around joint efforts to protect the rights and dignity of the Afghan people.

Conference Themes

The conference encourages applicants to send in proposals related to the following themes:  

1.    Human Rights Violations under Taliban Rule

2.    Analysis of the current humanitarian situation, including food insecurity, healthcare access, and displacement.

3.    Gender-Based Repression: Impact on Women and Girls

4.    Civil Society, Media, and Freedom of Expression

5.    Groups in Situations of Vulnerability: Children, Persons with Disabilities, Minorities, and Other At-Risk Populations

6.    International Legal Responses and Accountability Mechanisms

7.    Future of Afghanistan: Governance, Stability, and Peacebuilding

8.    Political Economy and Human Rights

Call for Abstracts

We invite scholars, researchers, practitioners, and activists to submit abstracts for paper presentations addressing one (or more) of the themes outlined above. Abstracts should critically engage with the thematic focus area(s) and propose innovative approaches, empirical research, or theoretical insights.

Priority will be given to abstracts from Afghan scholars and practitioners, as we recognize the importance of centering local perspectives and expertise in discussions about Afghanistan's human rights challenges.

Financial support
The organizers will provide selected presenters with Afghan nationality financial support needed to participate in the conference. This support includes coverage of travel expenses, accommodation, and per diem allowances throughout the duration of the conference. Financial support for non-Afghan participants can be provided if the participant is unable to self-finance.

Submission Guidelines
•    Abstracts should be no more than 300 words in length
•    Please indicate the theme(s) your abstract addresses
•    Include a brief biographical statement (maximum 100 words) detailing your affiliation, expertise, and relevant experience
•    Include information if the applicant will attend in person or online

Application Process 

Application deadline is October 6, 2024 (24.00 CET). 

Submissions should be sent to zoya [dot] noori [at] rwi [dot] lu [dot] se.

Selected presenters will be notified by October 11 and invited to develop a conference paper to be submitted to RWI/SASNET by 4 November.