Australia on Saturday imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior officials in Afghanistan’s Taliban government, citing what it called a worsening human rights situation, especially for women and girls.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the targeted officials were involved “in the oppression of women and girls and in undermining good governance or the rule of law” under Taliban rule.

Australia withdrew its remaining troops from Afghanistan in August 2021, following two decades as part of a NATO-led mission that trained Afghan forces and fought the Taliban after the militants were pushed from power by Western-backed troops.

Rights restrictions persist

Since reclaiming Kabul in 2021, the Taliban has faced global condemnation for restricting women’s and girls’ rights, including bans on education, employment and movement. Taliban leaders insist they respect women’s rights within their interpretation of Islamic law and local customs.

Wong said the sanctions targeted three Taliban ministers and the group’s chief justice, accusing them of limiting access for girls and women “to education, employment, freedom of movement and the ability to participate in public life.”

New sanctions framework

The penalties were issued under a new Australian government mechanism allowing Canberra to impose its own targeted sanctions and travel bans. Wong said the framework is intended to increase pressure on Taliban authorities and “target the oppression of the Afghan people.”

Australia accepted thousands of evacuees—mostly women and children—after the Taliban retook power. Much of Afghanistan’s population now depends on humanitarian aid for survival.