Australia sanctions Afghan Taliban officials over women's rights abuses

"The Australian government has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four officials in Afghanistan's Taliban government, citing the deteriorating human rights situation in the country, particularly for women and girls. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement on Saturday that Canberra had established a world-first autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan, which would allow it to directly impose its own sanctions and travel bans to increase pressure on the Taliban."

"The new framework also introduces an arms embargo, Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said, as well as prohibitions on providing related services and activities to Afghanistan. The department named the sanctioned Taliban officials as Minister for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice Muhammad Khalid Hanafi; Minister of Higher Education Neda Mohammad Nadeem; Minister of Justice Abdul-Hakim Sharei; and Chief Justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani."

"The Australian Government has established a world-first autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan, as part of our ongoing efforts to hold the Taliban to account. In effect from today, we have also announced the first listings under the new framework. Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) December 5, 2025 Wong said the officials had been sanctioned due to their involvement in the oppression of women and girls and in undermining good governance or the rule of law. This includes restricting access to education, employment, freedom of movement and the ability to participate in public life, she said."

Australia imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four Taliban officials and introduced a new autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan. The measures include an arms embargo and prohibitions on providing related services and activities to Afghanistan. Named officials include Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, Abdul-Hakim Sharei and Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The sanctions target actions that oppress women and girls and undermine good governance and the rule of law, including restrictions on education, employment, freedom of movement and public participation. The framework builds on 140 individuals and entities already sanctioned under the UN Security Council's Taliban framework. The Taliban government has not publicly responded.

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