Residents of Kabul’s Omid-e Sabz Neighborhood Face Coercion and Fear Under Taliban Rule

Residents of the Omid-e Sabz neighborhood report experiencing pressure from the Taliban to pay rent, accompanied by threats. There are also allegations of theft and detention of locals by Taliban forces.

Forced Rent by the Taliban

Residents of the Omid-e Sabz neighborhood in western Kabul express concern over their current situation, reporting that the Taliban has been coercing property owners to pay a monthly rent of 4,000 Afghanis for each room, under the pretext of the area being designated for “Emirate” purposes. This alarming situation is compounded by threats, creating an atmosphere of fear among the residents.

Ongoing Searches and Theft

According to gathered information, Taliban members have been conducting searches of homes and demanding that residents hire their preferred security personnel. Additionally, there are reports of valuable belongings being stolen by armed individuals posing as a delegation from the Ministry of Justice, specifically targeting homes of families that have been forcibly displaced.

Claims of Land Ownership and Reactions

While the Taliban’s special court claims ownership of over 1,507 jeribs of land in this neighborhood, property owners assert their legal rights by presenting religious properties and official documents. Legal experts argue that disregarding the significant investments made by citizens is not only unfair but also lacks legal justification.

Legal Experts’ Perspectives

Legal experts point out the principle of “no harm and no harassment,” stressing that the confiscation of property without adherence to fair judicial processes contradicts Sharia principles. They believe that this situation necessitates the intervention of international human rights organizations to prevent forced evictions and violations of property rights.