Human Rights Watch has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to suspend Afghanistan's membership and bar the Taliban-controlled country from participating in international cricket.
This request was made through an email sent to ICC Chair Jay Shah on February 3 and publicly released on March 7.
The letter titled "Suspending the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Implementing a Human Rights Policy" called for the suspension of Afghanistan’s participation in cricket until women and girls are once again allowed to engage in education and sports within the country.
Human Rights Watch, an independent NGO focused on human rights advocacy, stated that the ICC should adopt a human rights policy based on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. The letter emphasized that despite the ICC's promises to enhance women's cricket, the Taliban's policies since their return to power in 2021 have severely restricted women's and girls' rights, including their freedom of movement, employment, and education beyond sixth grade.
The email also highlighted the ICC's commitment to anti-discrimination, asserting that the governing body should ensure that cricket is inclusive and free from intimidation based on sex, gender, or marital status. It pointed out the inconsistency in the ICC's actions, as Afghanistan's men's team still receives financial and logistical support, while the women's team, which has been suspended, is denied the same resources.
Human Rights Watch further criticized the Taliban's ban on women's participation in cricket, calling it a violation of the Olympic Charter’s guarantee that "the practice of sport is a human right." The letter also referenced former Afghanistan women's players, who now live in exile, requesting ICC recognition of a refugee women's national team to allow them to train, compete, and receive ICC financial support.
The email questioned why the ICC has not taken stronger action against the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), asking what steps are being taken to ensure the inclusion of women and girls in Afghan cricket. It also inquired about the support the ICC has provided or plans to offer to the ACB.
Human Rights Watch concluded by urging the ICC to adopt a human rights framework, similar to other sports governing bodies, and to pressure the Taliban to allow Afghan women and girls to participate in sport. The ICC has yet to comment on the matter.
