Global Protests Against Taliban Rule Spread Across 24 Cities as Afghan Diaspora Demands Rights

Kabul: A new wave of international protests against Taliban rule has emerged as Afghan communities in 24 cities across several countries took to the streets to mark five years since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.

Protests and rallies were reported in Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Pakistan and the United States, with demonstrators raising concerns over human rights, women’s rights and restrictions on freedom under the Taliban government.

Protests Held Across Major German Cities

Large demonstrations were reported in several German cities, including Bonn, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin, Kiel, Frankfurt, Cologne and Düsseldorf.

Afghan protesters took to the streets, chanting slogans against Taliban rule and calling on the international community to maintain pressure over the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

In Stuttgart and Hamburg, demonstrators raised the slogans “Bread, Work, Freedom” and called for greater international efforts to hold the Taliban authorities accountable.

Major Demonstration in Toronto

A large gathering of Afghan refugees and activists was also held at Queen’s Park in Toronto, Canada.

According to Afghan media reports, protesters strongly opposed any move towards normalising relations with the Taliban and demanded greater international attention to the rights of Afghan women.

Demonstrators called for an end to gender-based discrimination and demanded protection for freedom of expression, freedom of the press and fundamental human rights.

Protests Outside UN Office in Geneva

Afghan protesters also gathered outside the United Nations office in Geneva, where they raised slogans against Taliban rule and called for stronger international action over Afghanistan’s human rights situation.

In Amsterdam, protesters urged the Dutch government and the European Union not to recognise or normalise relations with the Taliban without placing the rights of Afghan women and other fundamental freedoms at the centre of their policies.

Similar demonstrations and protest activities were reported among Afghan communities in Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Austria, Sweden, Spain, Pakistan and the United States.

In several cities, protesters established demonstration camps, launched petition campaigns and, in some cases, announced hunger strikes.

Afghan Women’s Rights Remain Central to Protests

Women’s rights and fundamental freedoms remained among the central demands raised during the demonstrations.

Protesters called for Afghan women and girls to regain access to education and employment and demanded greater protection for freedom of expression and independent journalism.

They also urged the international community not to overlook the concerns of Afghan citizens while engaging with the Taliban authorities.

Growing International Pressure on Taliban Rule

Analysts say the protests across multiple countries demonstrate that significant sections of the Afghan diaspora remain deeply opposed to Taliban policies and continue to demand political and social rights for Afghan citizens.

According to experts, the growing international demonstrations could create additional diplomatic pressure on the Taliban as Afghanistan seeks greater engagement with the international community.

The continued protests also indicate that concerns over women’s rights, freedom of expression and broader human rights issues remain major obstacles to the Taliban securing wider international acceptance.

For the Afghan diaspora, the demonstrations have become an important platform to keep international attention focused on Afghanistan and to demand that the rights and aspirations of Afghan citizens remain central to any future engagement with the Taliban.