THE RISK OF ETHNOCRACY IN AFGHANISTAN UNDER THE TALIBAN REGIME

The Taliban's second takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has been met with concern by the international community. The Taliban, which shocked the world during its first term in power, has given more moderate messages in its new term, which does not indicate a significant change in its management approach. Because the Taliban has shown that it does not have a very different understanding from its first term with the policies it has implemented. The concerns of the international community have become reality, and the Taliban regime has been accused of serious human rights violations. The isolation of women in particular from social life has drawn the reaction of the international community and has constituted a serious obstacle to the Taliban regime being internationally accepted as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. The predominantly Pashtun structure of the Taliban and the fact that Pashtuns are given much more places in its management cadres than other minority groups have brought to the agenda the possibility of the country's administration turning into a kind of ethnocracy. It is thought that such an approach, which can harm social peace, poses a serious risk potential for Afghanistan. This study draws attention to the possible risks that may arise from an ethnocratic structure in Afghanistan where non-Pashtun ethnic groups are excluded from politics and lose their right to representation. It is thought that the allegations that the Taliban regime is currently engaged in economic and social discrimination and that it is implementing cultural oppression policies have led to serious violations of minority rights in Afghanistan. It is claimed that the Taliban regime, which promised an inclusive and fair administration, is moving towards ethnocracy and is unable to exhibit an inclusive or fair administration. Furthermore, it is assessed that such a political choice poses a risk of causing existential problems for Afghanistan.