Indiscriminate bombing kills large numbers of civilians. There are extreme restrictions on the freedom of association, expression, on the rights of women, and an extreme environment of religious intolerance. The country lacks a constitution containing human rights provisions. Professional and organised courts and a trained judiciary are non-existent. Trials are conducted on an ad hoc basis.
Accusations are likely to culminate in executions.
Changes in regime do not affect Afghanistan's obligations under international law generally, nor under human rights law and humanitarian law. Afghanistan is still party to important international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, as well as the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949. The government is bound by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. However, no governmental or administrative authority exists to ensure the protection of human rights enshrined in any international instrument. One massive human rights abuse has been the decimation of Afghan culture.