HAMRAH members, Dr. Benafsha Yaqoobi, Founder/Executive Director of The RAHYAB Initiative, and Dr. Orzala Nemat, Founder of Development Research Group, were among the four prosecutors at the historic People’s Tribunal for Women of Afghanistan which took place in Madrid from 8-10 October 2025

Led by a coalition of four Afghan human rights organisations, the Tribunal stood as a courageous act of resistance and truth-telling by Afghan women who have refused silence, demanding recognition of, and accountability for, gender persecution taking place under Taliban rule.

Over two days, the Tribunal heard powerful testimonies from survivors, including women protesters who faced arrest, torture, and intimidation under Taliban rule. One Afghan student’s words captured the defiance and determination of millions: “I am here today to say knowledge should not be criminalised, and no girl should be deprived of education.”In its preliminary conclusions the Tribunal found that the Taliban’s conduct meets the threshold for Gender Persecution under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute, their actions constitute other inhumane acts under Article 7(1)(k), and that the Taliban are in violation of multiple binding international human rights treaties, to which Afghanistan remains a State Party.