Australia Imposes Sanctions and Travel Bans on Four Senior Taliban Officials Over Human Rights Violations

Australia Targets Taliban Leadership with New Sanctions

Australia has imposed financial sanctions and travel bans on four senior officials within Afghanistan's Taliban-run government. The measures, announced on December 6, 2025, are a direct response to what Australia describes as severe humanitarian violations, specifically targeting women and girls, and the undermining of good governance and the rule of law in Afghanistan.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the Australian Government has established a 'world-first autonomous sanctions framework' for Afghanistan, designed to hold the Taliban accountable. This new framework allows Australia to directly impose its own sanctions, building upon existing United Nations Security Council sanctions.

Key Officials Sanctioned

The four individuals subjected to these new sanctions are:

• Sheikh Muhammad Khalid Hanafi, Minister for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. He is known for hardline positions on women's rights, including decrees limiting freedom of expression and imposing gender-segregated public spaces.
• Neda Mohammad Nadeem, Minister of Higher Education. Nadeem banned women from attending universities in 2022.
• Mullah Abdul-Hakim Sharei (also referred to as Shaikh-Al-Hadith Mawlawi Abdul-Hakim Sharei), Minister of Justice. He is accused of removing women's access to legal representation and overhauling the Afghan legislative system.
• Abdul Hakim Haqqani, Chief Justice of the Taliban Supreme Court. Haqqani is accused of manipulating the law to exclude women from judicial positions and public life. The International Criminal Court has also issued an arrest warrant for him over alleged crimes against humanity for persecuting women and girls.

Under these sanctions, any assets linked to these officials within Australia are frozen, and Australian citizens or entities are prohibited from providing financial services to them. They are also banned from entering or traveling to Australia.

Justification for the Measures

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade stated that the sanctions were imposed due to the officials' involvement 'in the oppression of women and girls and in undermining good governance or the rule of law' in Afghanistan. This includes restricting access for girls and women to education, employment, freedom of movement, and the ability to participate in public life. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has faced global criticism for severely restricting the rights and freedoms of women and girls, including bans on female education and employment.

Australia's Ongoing Commitment to Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Penny Wong reiterated Australia's deep concern over the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, stating, 'Our thoughts continue to be with those suffering under the Taliban's oppression, as well as the Afghan community in Australia.' Australia has provided over $260 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan since the fall of Kabul, with a strong focus on women and girls. A humanitarian exemption has been included in the sanctions framework to ensure aid operations are not disrupted.