UN report on Taliban accountability

On August 10, 2026, the International — United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a report examining accountability and transparency within Taliban security institutions five years after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. The report acknowledges some positive steps by the de facto authorities but highlights significant deficiencies in transparency regarding oversight and accountability measures. It documents instances where investigations into misconduct by security personnel were conducted, some referred to Taliban military courts, yet many complaints remain unresolved. The report criticizes the lack of public information on complaints, investigations, and disciplinary actions, which undermines confidence and deterrence. UNAMA recommends strengthening accountability across all security institutions by clarifying rules on the use of force, arrest, detention, searches, and crowd policing, and establishing clear standards of professional conduct. The report also notes the suspension of the constitution and the annulment of existing laws, and the establishment of bodies such as the Afghanistan — Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Georgette Gagnon, head of UNAMA, emphasized that improving accountability is a legal obligation and necessary for Afghanistan's stability and reintegration into the international community.