Representative Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said on Thursday that continued inaction was worsening the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Speaking at a committee hearing, Mast sharply criticized Taliban policies and called for stronger efforts to hold them accountable. “Each day that goes by has meant more and more suffering for Afghan women and girls,” he said, referring to sweeping restrictions imposed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Mast said the limitations — including bans on education, employment and public participation — had severely curtailed women’s rights. He also linked the policies to the Taliban’s interpretation of religion, suggesting they were unlikely to change without sustained external pressure.
He voiced support for proposed legislation that would require the State Department to produce a comprehensive report assessing whether Taliban treatment of women and girls constitutes crimes against humanity, torture or other serious human rights violations under US law.
The measure is intended to strengthen accountability and guide future US policy, including potential sanctions or limits on assistance.
During the hearing, three Afghan students studying in the United States — identified as Humaira, Zahra and Tayeba — were introduced. Mast said their presence underscored the human consequences behind policy debates.
“We deal with a lot of ink on paper,” he said. “But it’s important to understand the human element, and your presence makes that real.”
He added that such testimonies could help lawmakers and the broader international community better understand conditions in Afghanistan and shape more effective responses.
Separately, members of Congress have advanced legislation aimed at restricting financial flows that could benefit the Taliban. A bill approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee last year seeks to prevent US taxpayer funds from reaching groups designated as terrorist organizations.
Supporters of the measure have cited findings by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction indicating that billions of dollars in aid have entered Afghanistan since 2021, with some estimates suggesting that a portion may have reached Taliban.
