28 January 2026
The Australian Centre for International Justice (ACIJ) welcomes the Australian Government’s recent decision to implement a new autonomous sanctions framework for Afghanistan under the Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Afghanistan) Regulations 2025 (Cth) (the Amendment).
The Amendment introduces an arms embargo, prohibiting Australians from supplying arms or related materials, and any related services or activities to Afghanistan. It further permits targeted sanctions on persons and entities responsible for the oppression of women, girls and minority groups as well as the general oppression of people in Afghanistan through the imposition of financial sanctions, asset freezes as well as travel bans, that deny the entry of the declared person into Australia.
This Amendment establishes a unilateral mechanism for the Australian Government, complementing the UN sanctions framework, to exert additional pressure on the Taliban amid an appalling and worsening human rights crisis in Afghanistan.
The ACIJ considers targeted sanctions to be an appropriate and effective means of promoting accountability for serious human rights abuses by increasing the consequences for perpetrators, including through the denial of entry and access to assets in foreign jurisdictions where they seek to travel or conduct business.
Lara Khider, Acting Executive Director at the Australian Centre for International Justice, said:
“The introduction of the sanctions regime sends a clear signal that Australia will not tolerate conduct that fuels violence and systematic human rights abuses in Afghanistan. Its effectiveness, though, will depend on how broadly and rigorously the measures are enforced.”
“While the amendments are a welcome and necessary step, further concrete action is required to ensure meaningful accountability for those responsible for breaches of international law and to prevent Australian complicity in serious human rights violations in Afghanistan.”
“International crimes committed in Afghanistan are extensive and must be thoroughly investigated to bring an end to entrenched impunity. Alongside supporting the International Criminal Court’s investigation into crimes committed in Afghanistan, the Australian authorities must also continue their own investigations into allegations of war crimes by Australian special forces in Afghanistan.”
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For media enquiries contact the Australian Centre for International Justice at: info@acij.org.au
