A new UN briefing details how Afghanistan’s nationwide telecommunications blackout in late September 2025 severely disrupted essential services, deepened discrimination against women and girls, and violated fundamental human rights.
The UN Human Rights Office and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a joint briefing today outlining the wide-ranging human rights consequences of a 48-hour telecommunications shutdown imposed by the de facto authorities from 29 September to 1 October 2025. Based on over 100 interviews, the report describes how the blackout crippled healthcare, humanitarian response, and economic activity, while further isolating Afghan women and girls already facing severe restrictions.
Essential Facts:
- Where/When: Afghanistan; 29 September–1 October 2025
- What Happened: A 48-hour nationwide telecommunications shutdown imposed by the de facto authorities
- Primary Actors: UN Human Rights Office, UNAMA, Afghanistan’s de facto authorities
- Verified Figures: Over 100 interviews conducted; impacts included preventable deaths and widespread service disruptions
- Immediate Response: UN called on authorities to uphold international human rights obligations and ensure any communication restrictions are lawful, necessary, and proportionate
Context:
Telecommunications are vital for Afghanistan’s health services, banking, education, and humanitarian coordination. The blackout caused critical delays in emergency healthcare and humanitarian aid delivery, including during earthquake relief operations in Nangarhar, Laghman, and Kunar provinces. Women faced compounded risks under Taliban-imposed restrictions, with some unable to contact required male guardians or continue online education. The report underscores that arbitrary shutdowns infringe on the rights to freedom of expression and access to information under international human rights law.
Source(s) & Attribution:
UN Human Rights Office & UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), “Briefing Paper on the Human Rights Impact of Telecommunications Shutdowns in Afghanistan,” October 2025.
