Seventy-six Afghanistan’s civil and human rights organizations have demanded international legal action against Zalmay Khalilzad for his alleged involvement.

In an open letter, 76 Afghanistan’s civil, human rights, and protest organizations called for international accountability and legal proceedings against Zalmay Khalilzad.

The letter accuses Khalilzad of direct involvement in the collapse of Afghanistan’s previous government, whitewashing the Taliban, and facilitating their return to power. The signatories also accuse him of promoting immunity for those responsible for crimes during the conflict.

The letter demands that Khalilzad’s case be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC), and it includes calls for banning his political and advisory activities concerning Afghanistan. Furthermore, the letter requests investigations into his media and financial networks.

The organizations and movements that signed the letter include those working in human rights, transitional justice, freedom of speech, and civil resistance. The official logos and names of these entities are featured in the document.

The full version of the letter, along with supporting documents, will be shared with international bodies, human rights organizations, and global media in the coming days.

The signatories have stated that their goal is to hold accountable those whom they believe played a role in the fall of the Republic system and the re-establishment of the Taliban.

This letter represents a significant push from civil society to address the role of foreign figures in Afghanistan’s political crisis. The calls for accountability and legal action reflect a growing demand for justice, both for past actions and for the ongoing political struggles facing Afghanistan.

A 25-year oil contract for the Amu Darya field was cancelled due to repeated violations by the Chinese company involved.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has announced the cancellation of a 25-year oil extraction contract in the Amu Darya basin with the Chinese company Afchin, citing repeated breaches of agreement terms.

In an official statement issued on Tuesday, June 17, the ministry stated that joint investigative committees had been formed to examine contractual violations. The findings reportedly confirmed that Afchin had repeatedly failed to meet its obligations.

The statement added that Afchin was not only non-compliant but also failed to implement agreed commitments, prompting the ministry to take legal steps to terminate the contract formally.

The Taliban has invited international legal and consulting firms to evaluate the legal aspects of the contract and to oversee financial settlements with the Chinese company.

According to the agreement, the Chinese company Afchin had committed to investing $150 million in the first year and $540 million over three years.

The Amu Darya oil field, located in Afghanistan’s Sar-e-Pul and Faryab provinces, spans over 4,500 square kilometers and contains an estimated 87 million tons of confirmed crude oil reserves, according to Taliban officials.

Analysts from energy watchdogs and institutions such as the International Energy Agency (IEA) note that instability in Afghanistan’s investment climate could further deter foreign interest, despite its significant untapped natural resources.

Richard Bennett emphasized at the UN that gender apartheid in Afghanistan must be legally recognized to address systemic human rights violations.

During the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the human rights situation in Afghanistan was once again brought to the forefront of international attention. In side sessions focusing on Afghanistan, international officials and prominent researchers emphasized the urgent need to recognize and criminalize “gender apartheid” in the country.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan, spoke at a session titled “From Call to Action: Designing an Appropriate Research Mechanism for Afghanistan.” He highlighted that recognizing gender apartheid could be an effective way to address the systematic human rights violations in Afghanistan. Bennett stressed, “We need new pathways for accountability, pathways built around the survivors. One of these pathways, which I support, is the legalization of the concept of gender apartheid, a concept Afghan women have long advocated for.”

Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative in Geneva, underscored the importance of civil society and independent investigative mechanisms in documenting human rights violations. He stated, “The voice of civil society must resonate beyond Geneva, in New York and at the UN General Assembly. We need an independent research mechanism that can form the basis for targeted sanctions against human rights violators.”

In the continuation of the session, Fereshta Abasi, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, warned of the severe human rights crisis in Afghanistan and called for serious action from the international community. “We should not create a hierarchy among victims. Justice must be equal for all. The Human Rights Council is responsible for responding urgently and seriously to crises like Afghanistan,” she emphasized.

The 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council began on Monday, June 16, and will continue until July 9. On the first day of the session, Richard Bennett presented his official report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan to the council.

The situation for women in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate under the current regime, with severe restrictions imposed on their basic rights and freedoms. Women are now banned from most forms of education and employment, and public spaces have become increasingly inaccessible to them.

The imposition of strict dress codes and the prohibition of travel without a male guardian are just some of the oppressive measures Afghan women face daily. These systemic barriers have led to a crisis where the majority of Afghan women are unable to access the most basic services and opportunities.

The international community has expressed increasing concern over these violations, with many calling the treatment of Afghan women a form of gender apartheid. In addition to restrictions on education and work, Afghan women have been systematically excluded from political and social life. Their participation in governance, civil society, and leadership roles has been severely curtailed, leaving them with little recourse or representation. This exclusion has caused widespread harm, not only to women themselves but also to the broader Afghanistan society.

UN agencies urge urgent global support as over 3.5 million Afghan children face severe malnutrition amid worsening food insecurity crisis.

Several United Nations agencies have issued a joint call for urgent action to address the growing malnutrition crisis affecting women and children in Afghanistan. On Sunday, June 15, key humanitarian bodies including UNICEF, WHO, WFP, FAO, and UNFPA emphasized the need for rapid support to prevent further deterioration of health conditions.

According to the joint appeal, Afghanistan is among the 15 countries with the highest rates of malnutrition in women and children. The agencies report that more than 3.5 million children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition, with 1.4 million facing life-threatening conditions. The situation is compounded by a fragile healthcare system and limited resources.

The appeal also highlights that four in every ten Afghan women experience malnutrition, a crisis that is often overlooked in humanitarian responses. These women face serious health complications, especially during pregnancy and childbirth, increasing infant mortality and long-term developmental challenges.

The UN states that over 9.8 million people in Afghanistan are currently experiencing acute food insecurity. The primary causes include a weakened economy, prolonged drought, and environmental disasters. These factors continue to erode food systems and access to healthcare, further worsening the malnutrition crisis.

The joint strategic call focuses on integrated interventions such as food assistance, maternal and child healthcare, and nutritional education. The UN urges global donors and stakeholders to intensify their support for Afghanistan’s humanitarian response, which has seen a sharp 40% drop in funding compared to previous years.

Despite Afghanistan’s escalating nutritional emergency, international aid has declined significantly, putting millions of vulnerable lives at risk. UN agencies warn that without immediate funding and intervention, the crisis could lead to irreversible consequences for an entire generation.

Humanitarian leaders stress that global solidarity is critical to saving lives. They call on the international community to fulfill its obligations and prevent further suffering among Afghanistan’s women and children, who continue to face the brunt of conflict, climate shocks, and poverty.