The Taliban’s police command in Baghlan has confirmed that at least 10 people were killed in an armed attack on the “Sayed Padshah Agha” shrine in Nahrin district of Baghlan province.

The statement mentioned that several suspects have been arrested, and investigations into the incident are ongoing.

The Taliban police in Baghlan described the incident as a “mysterious” attack in a statement released on Friday, November 22.

According to the statement, the victims worked during the day and gathered at the shrine at night for worship.

Early Friday morning report indicated that armed individuals targeted a group of Sufi practitioners in a shrine in Nahrin district, opening fire on them.

The victims of this attack were followers of Sufism and praying during the Friday night in the Shrine.

This tragic incident underscores the persistent threat faced by religious minorities and spiritual communities in Afghanistan. The attack has raised concerns about the Taliban’s ability to ensure security in areas under their control and protect vulnerable groups from targeted violence.

International organizations and human rights groups have called for an impartial investigation into the attack and urged the authorities to take concrete steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights described the awards given to Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, and Nila Ebrahimi, an education activist, as inspiring. Richard Bennett called their efforts “strong and unwavering.”

On Friday, November 22, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, wrote on his X account that the work of these two women in the face of “gender oppression in Afghanistan” is inspirational. He stated that their struggles deserve recognition in international communities.

Julia Parsi, a women’s rights activist, and Manuchehr Khaliqnazarov, a human rights lawyer in Tajikistan, jointly received the Martin Ennals Human Rights Award on Tuesday, November 21.

The Ennals Foundation stated that these two human rights defenders have “paid a heavy price for justice and equality in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.”

On the same day, the Children’s Rights Foundation awarded the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize to Nila Ebrahimi, a 17-year-old Afghan girl, in recognition of her “advocacy for Afghan girls’ rights.”

Nila was selected from 165 nominees from 47 countries. This award has previously been given to notable figures such as environmental activist Greta Thunberg and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai.

The recognition of Julia Parsi and Nila Ebrahimi highlights the critical role of Afghan women and youth in advocating for human rights despite facing significant challenges.

Their achievements send a powerful message of resilience and hope to those enduring oppression.

These awards underscore the importance of continued international support for individuals fighting for equality and justice in regions affected by conflict and gender-based discrimination. Such recognition not only empowers activists but also keeps global attention focused on the plight of marginalized communities.

Nader YarAhmadi, head of the Center for Foreign Nationals and Immigrants Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Interior, stated that over 4,000 Afghan nationals with valid passports and visas enter Iran daily. He noted that more than 500,000 visas are issued annually to Afghans.

According to YarAhmadi, air travel capacity in Afghanistan is very limited, with only about 1% of Afghans entering Iran via air routes. Most rely on land crossings for their migration.

During a meeting with the governor of Kerman on Wednesday, November20, YarAhmadi attributed migration to “regional and natural crises” and estimated the number of Afghans in Iran to be nearly six million.

YarAhmadi criticized efforts by the UN and the UNHCR to grant legal status to anyone crossing borders, stating that the Islamic Republic does not accept such an approach. He also highlighted the high cost of obtaining passports in Afghanistan, claiming it contributes to nearly 20% of the country’s revenue.

The plight of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan has worsened amid forced deportations, harassment, and human rights violations. Refugees face discrimination, limited access to legal work opportunities, and poor living conditions, leaving many in a state of despair.

The dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan exacerbates their struggles, with severe food shortages, lack of basic services, and political instability forcing many to flee. However, as winter approaches, the challenges for displaced Afghans in neighboring countries are expected to escalate.

The international community must urgently address the dual crises of refugee rights violations and the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan. Enhanced support for refugees and diplomatic pressure on host countries to uphold human rights could provide relief and stability during these critical times.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called for greater attention to the plight of children in Afghanistan on the occasion of World Children’s Day, celebrated on November 20.

In a message shared on the social media platform X, UNICEF highlighted that “children pay the highest price for conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies.”

The organization emphasized that children, whose lives are at risk, have the right to be heard and to participate in decisions affecting their future.

The European Union, marking World Children’s Day, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Afghan children through educational programs, healthcare, and protective measures.

The EU further stressed that children are the future of Afghanistan and pledged to stand firmly by their side.

World Children’s Day is celebrated annually on November 20 to advocate for children’s rights globally.

The situation in Afghanistan is dire for children, particularly girls who are banned from attending school beyond sixth grade. This policy not only denies them their right to education but also contributes to a cycle of poverty and inequality.

The ongoing humanitarian crisis, worsened by these restrictions, has led to an increase in forced and underage marriages as families struggle to cope. Without urgent action, millions of Afghan children, especially girls, face a bleak future marked by limited opportunities and systemic oppression.

Mohammad Abbas Khan, Pakistan’s High Commissioner for Refugees, has called for an international conference to increase the acceptance of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan by Western countries.

According to a report by the Dawn newspaper, Pakistan’s High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized that Western countries should expedite the process of accepting Afghan applicants currently residing in Pakistan.

The report stated that Mohammad Abbas Khan suggested this conference should address challenges such as the voluntary return of refugees to Afghanistan and their resettlement in third countries.

He added that a trilateral meeting with the  Kabul administration and the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) would soon be held to discuss the challenges faced by Afghan refugees and migrants.

The Pakistani official noted that around 600,000 Afghan applicants are currently registered with the UNHCR in Pakistan, seeking resettlement in Western countries.

He further stated that the resettlement quota for UN-registered Afghan applicants this year is only 8,000 people.

Mohammad Abbas Khan emphasized that Afghanistan’s capacity to absorb returning refugees is extremely limited.

The situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan highlights the urgent need for global collaboration to address their resettlement challenges. Without adequate international support, both the refugees and the host countries face significant humanitarian and logistical burdens.

This call for an international conference underscores the importance of shared responsibility in dealing with the refugee crisis.

It is a pivotal moment for Western countries to step forward and provide sustainable solutions for displaced Afghan families, ensuring their safety, dignity, and a better future.