---
title: "Taliban mark fifth anniversary in power as UN warns of rights crisis"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/taliban-mark-fifth-anniversary-in-power-as-un-warns-of-rights-crisis"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/taliban-mark-fifth-anniversary-in-power-as-un-warns-of-rights-crisis"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/taliban-mark-fifth-anniversary-in-power-as-un-warns-of-rights-crisis.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/taliban-mark-fifth-anniversary-in-power-as-un-warns-of-rights-crisis"
category: "Politics"
area: "Middle East"
published: "2026-08-15T12:46:20.470Z"
source_reported: "2026-08-15T12:05:47.000Z"
updated: "2026-08-15T12:46:20.470Z"
trust_score: 74
critic_score: 95
hype_score: 15
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-08-15T14:00:08.983175+00:00"
---

# Taliban mark fifth anniversary in power as UN warns of rights crisis

*Gatherings in Kabul celebrated stability while the UN special rapporteur called conditions a crime against humanity*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 74 of 100, higher is better. Trust 74: multiple named officials, UN statements, specific figures, and clear date/location, but only one original report.
- Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95: provides context, quotes officials, separates facts, includes specific data, and outlines next steps.
- Hype 15 of 100, lower is better. Hype 15: language is measured; headline matches article content without exaggeration.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- Taliban officials held celebrations in Kabul on 15 August 2026 to mark five years since their return to power, with no women present at the Loya Jirga ceremony.
- A United Nations special rapporteur described Afghanistan’s human rights situation as a crime against humanity, citing gender persecution and restrictions on women and girls.
- UNESCO estimates 2.4 million Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban takeover in 2021.
- Russia remains the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban government, which remains internationally isolated.

Taliban officials gathered at the Loya Jirga assembly hall in Kabul on 15 August 2026 to mark the fifth anniversary of their return to power. The event included speeches, military displays, and street celebrations across Afghanistan. Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said the government had brought peace and stability under Sharia law.

The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on 15 August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Since then, the government has imposed restrictions on women and girls, including bans on secondary and higher education, employment in most sectors, and travel without a male guardian. Women were not present at the anniversary ceremony.

Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, said the country is experiencing a grave human rights crisis. In a video message, he described the situation as amounting to the crime against humanity of gender persecution. UNESCO estimates 2.4 million girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban takeover.

The Taliban government remains internationally isolated, with Russia the only country to have formally recognised it. Celebrations included parades outside the former U.S. embassy in Kabul, where armoured vehicles displayed Taliban flags.

## What the coverage left out

None of the right-rated digests mentioned the UNESCO estimate that 2.4 million Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban takeover. None of the right-rated digests quoted or paraphrased the UN special rapporteur’s description of the situation as a crime against humanity of gender persecution.

The centre-rated digests did not carry the Taliban deputy spokesman’s claim that the government had delivered security and infrastructure, which appeared in The Hindu’s full report. Only one of the ten centre-rated digests mentioned the absence of women at the Loya Jirga ceremony.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 42 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 60% (25)
- Centre: 28% (12)
- Right: 12% (5)

2 of 44 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-15T14:00:08.983175+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-15T15:00:08.647Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- The left-rated digests led on the human rights crisis in Afghanistan, particularly the exclusion of women and girls from education and public life. Thirteen of the 13 left-rated digests mentioned the UN warning of gender persecution or the UNESCO estimate of 2.4 million girls excluded from secondary education. Eight digests noted the absence of women at the Loya Jirga ceremony.
- The Hindu’s full report quoted Richard Bennett’s statement that the Taliban’s system amounts to gender persecution and described the broader human rights crisis, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and restrictions on freedom of expression. It also carried the Taliban deputy spokesman’s claim that the government had delivered security and infrastructure.

### Centre

- The centre-rated digests led on the Taliban’s projection of control and stability. All ten centre-rated digests mentioned the anniversary celebrations, with seven describing the Taliban as seeking to portray their government as in control. Four digests noted warnings from aid and rights groups about escalating crises, including restrictions on women.
- The Jerusalem Post’s digest described the anniversary as “victory day” and mentioned rights groups’ warnings about humanitarian crises. The Express Tribune’s digest specified that women face sweeping restrictions as humanitarian needs reach record highs.

### Right

- The right-rated digests led on the Taliban’s anniversary celebrations and their portrayal of stability. All four right-rated digests described the gatherings and street celebrations in Kabul. Two mentioned warnings from aid and rights groups about escalating crises, but none carried the UNESCO estimate of 2.4 million girls excluded from education or the UN special rapporteur’s description of gender persecution as a crime against humanity.
- The Bangkok Post’s digest described the Taliban as seeking to portray their government as in control, while the Cyprus Mail’s digest mentioned aid groups’ warnings of escalating crises. The Straits Times’ digest carried the same framing, noting the Taliban’s projection of control alongside aid groups’ concerns.

**Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- mixed: 4
- high: 34
- unknown: 2
- veryHigh: 4

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [Stuff](https://stuff.co.nz/world-news/361020738/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-power-afghanistan) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Daily Sabah](https://dailysabah.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-marks-5-years-in-power-as-un-warns-of-deepening-crisis) — Taliban marks 5 years in power as UN warns of deepening crisis
- [The Hindu](https://thehindu.com/news/international/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-un-official-warns-of-rights-crisis/article71349344.ece) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, UN official warns of rights crisis
- [SooLeader.com](https://sooleader.com/michigan-news-ap/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of-a-rights-crisis-12669331) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [The Standard-Journal](https://standard-journal.com/ap/world/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of/article_9a60c734-a242-5862-a965-f321485fa45c.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [The Daily Advance](https://dailyadvance.com/news/world/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of/article_a2615633-4039-519f-bd9c-201d85e912ce.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Joplin Globe](https://joplinglobe.com/region/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of/article_f6304d78-241a-58e6-90e5-86f4e79e7ed7.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Jerusalem Post](https://jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/article-905577) — Taliban celebrate ‘victory day’ five years after seizing power in Afghanistan
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/world/2026/08/taliban-mark-5-years-since-return-to-power-in-afghanistan-in-photos) — Taliban mark 5 years since return to power in Afghanistan, in photos
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/taliban-mark-5-years-since-return-to-power-in-afghanistan-in-photos) — Taliban mark 5 years since return to power in Afghanistan, in photos
- [The Independent](https://independent.co.uk/news/afghanistan-taliban-kabul-b3033567.html) — Taliban mark 5 years since return to power in Afghanistan, in photos
- [Cecil Daily](https://cecildaily.com/ap/world/taliban-mark-5-years-since-return-to-power-in-afghanistan-in-photos/article_0a17c703-c29d-5f61-bcbf-6e1ba16cb113.html) — Taliban mark 5 years since return to power in Afghanistan, in photos
- [plaindealerin.com](https://plaindealerin.com/news/wire/taliban-mark-5-years-since-return-to-power-in-afghanistan-in-photos/article_bbca00ef-ee88-53f1-a197-c4388efbbced.html) — Taliban mark 5 years since return to power in Afghanistan, in photos
- [Bangkok Post](https://bangkokpost.com/world/3302255/taliban-mark-five-years-in-power-in-afghanistan) — Taliban mark five years in power in Afghanistan
- [Rocky Mountain Outlook](https://rmoutlook.com/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [SooToday.com](https://sootoday.com/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [Orillia Matters](https://orilliamatters.com/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [Elora Fergus Today](https://elorafergustoday.com/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [Sudbury](https://sudbury.com/national/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [Bay Today](https://baytoday.ca/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [InnisfilToday.ca](https://innisfiltoday.ca/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [ElliotLakeToday.com](https://elliotlaketoday.com/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [StratfordToday.ca](https://stratfordtoday.ca/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [Oakville News](https://oakvillenews.org/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [flamboroughtoday.com](https://flamboroughtoday.com/national-news/afghan-advocates-urge-action-for-women-as-taliban-marks-five-years-since-takeover-12669320) — Afghan advocates urge action for women as Taliban marks five years since takeover
- [The Express Tribune](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2624019/taliban-mark-five-years-in-power-as-aid-groups-warn-of-crisis) — Taliban mark five years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/asia/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of-a-rights-crisis/article_f353faca-336f-53f2-8c09-e3e1683befc4.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [City News](https://toronto.citynews.ca/2026/08/15/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of-a-rights-crisis) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Ottumwa Courier](https://ottumwacourier.com/news/national_news/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of/article_6a1f2999-080e-5d4f-af8e-5051ad5b8bb6.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Oskaloosa Herald](https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of/article_3033db06-576b-5dba-8642-9ed91fd3aff4.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Reflector](https://reflector.com/news/national/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of/article_a1cfac38-1315-5bde-a980-623d1fe34cb4.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Daily Record](https://dailyrecordnews.com/ap_news/international/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of/article_ff3755fa-e860-5aaa-bd73-582f34f42334.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Dawn](https://dawn.com/news/2023028) — Taliban mark 5 years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
- [bndestem.nl](https://bndestem.nl/buitenland/vijf-jaar-na-de-machtsovername-van-de-taliban-afghanistan-in-crisis-en-vrouwen-volledig-buitenspel~a8d21308) — Five Years After the Taliban Takeover: Afghanistan in Crisis and Women Completely Sidelined
- [Cyprus Mail](https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/08/15/taliban-mark-five-years-in-power-as-aid-groups-warn-of-crisis) — Taliban mark five years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
- [The Straits Times](https://straitstimes.com/asia/taliban-mark-five-years-in-power-as-aid-groups-warn-of-crisis) — Taliban mark five years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
- [WTVB](https://wtvbam.com/2026/08/15/taliban-mark-five-years-in-power-as-aid-groups-warn-of-crisis) — Taliban mark five years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
- [RTÉ](https://rte.ie/news/2026/0815/1587986-taliban-afghanistan-power) — Taliban authorities mark five years ruling Afghanistan
- [Vanguard News](https://vanguardngr.com/2026/08/taliban-authorities-mark-five-years-ruling-afghanistan) — Taliban authorities mark five years ruling Afghanistan
- [CBC News](https://cbc.ca/news/politics/afghan-taliban-war-evacuation-women-violence-9.7307900) — Five years after Kabul fell, the reckoning over Afghanistan is far from over
- [cphpost.dk](https://cphpost.dk/2026-08-15/general/women-girls-kept-away-on-talibans-5th-anniversary) — Women, girls kept away on Taliban's 5th anniversary - The Copenhagen Post
- [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of-a-rights-crisis/article_6d46c818-1a59-5794-9520-f5f598da9d05.html) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis
- [Al-Monitor](https://al-monitor.com/originals/2026/08/taliban-mark-five-years-power-aid-groups-warn-crisis) — Taliban mark five years in power as aid groups warn of crisis
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/life/faith/2026/08/15/while-taliban-leaders-mark-5-years-in-power-in-afghanistan-a-un-official-warns-of-a-rights-crisis) — While Taliban leaders mark 5 years in power in Afghanistan, a UN official warns of a rights crisis

## Questions

**How many Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban takeover?**

UNESCO estimates that approximately 2.4 million Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. This figure was reported by The Hindu and is part of the broader human rights crisis in Afghanistan.

**What did the UN special rapporteur say about Afghanistan’s human rights situation?**

Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, described the situation as amounting to the crime against humanity of gender persecution. He cited systemic discrimination against women and girls, including bans on education and employment, as reported by The Hindu.

**Which countries have formally recognised the Taliban government?**

Russia is the only country that has formally recognised the Taliban government, as reported by The Hindu. The Taliban remain internationally isolated, with no other country extending formal recognition.

**Were women present at the Taliban’s anniversary ceremony?**

No women were present at the Loya Jirga ceremony marking the Taliban’s fifth anniversary in power, according to The Hindu and eight left-rated digests. The Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s participation in public life.

---

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