EMPTY CHAIRS, SILENCED VOICES: Five Years Under Taliban Rule – Civil Society And Human Rights Network

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

A public forum on five years of restrictions and repression

On 24 August 2026, Stockholm hosted “Empty Chairs, Silenced Voices: Five Years Under Taliban Rule”, a public event focused on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan and on Sweden’s and the international community’s responsibilities. The programme brought together more than 70 participants from different parts of Swedish and Afghan society, including writers, civil society activists, women’s and human rights defenders, politicians and a representative of the Afghan Embassy in Stockholm.

The programme combined personal testimonies from inside Afghanistan, a contribution from Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, a four-person panel discussion, the symbolic “Empty Chairs” installation and a musical performance in support of Afghan women.