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COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: May 2024

While there was a lack of comprehensive data on crime rates, it was reported that the immediate aftermath of the Taliban takeover of power saw a drop in the crime rate. By the second half of October 2021, sources began to report a rise in the number of crimes, concurrently with the deepening of the humanitarian and economic crisis, and particularly affecting the capital and other big urban areas. One the other hand, one source had noted that the reason for the reported increase in crime might be the growing attention to the problem [Country Focus 2023, 2.4., pp. 41-42; Security 2022, 1.2.4., p. 32].

In 2023, the Global Organised Crime index scored the criminality rate of Afghanistan as the 9th highest in the world. The report of the UN Secretary General mainly reported incidents relating to robbery, theft and murder. According to an analysis by the Protection Cluster and UNHCR, increased crime levels, along with the economic crisis and intimidation related to debt issues, were among the most common reasons for feeling insecurity among Afghan households [Country Focus 2023, 2.4., pp. 41-42].

A real risk of violent crime, such as abductions, robberies, murder would meet the requirements under Article 15(b) QD.

Where there is no nexus to a reason for persecution under the refugee definition, and there is a reasonable degree of likelihood for the individual to face violent crime, this risk would qualify under Article 15(b) QD.