Aafia* is battling debilitating migraines and is at risk of losing her teeth from the stress. But she was unable to see a dentist or doctor because she was in hiding, constantly worried that the Taliban would track her down and kill her.

“I was angry,” she told independent From her secret location in Afghanistan. “I cried for no reason. I couldn’t sleep due to fear and stress.”

The 48-year-old judge’s life changed dramatically after the fall of Kabul in August 2021 and the Taliban took control of the country. The group subsequently released thousands of prisoners, and judges like Afia were shocked by the criminals they freed. Those sent to prison – including terrorists and senior al-Qaeda operatives – will be tracked down and seek revenge.

Sadly, Aifa’s plight is not unique. Marzia Babakarkhail, a former Afghan family court judge who now lives in the UK, said more than 180 judges have fled Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power, fleeing to the UK, US, Canada, Germany and France and other countries. A further 11 female judges are believed to have fled to Pakistan, from where asylum applications from other countries can be more easily processed.

But Afia is one of more than 40 female judges who failed to escape the fundamentalist regime and are still in hiding. Ms. Babakahail warned that their health conditions were deteriorating as they struggled to access food, money or health care.

Aifa told independent She was forced to move with her family every few days to ensure their safety.

“My teeth were falling out from the stress,” she said. “I can’t go to the doctor or dentist because I would face threats from the Taliban. Many judges have lost their teeth.”

Aaifa has worked in criminal and civil courts for 14 years, specializing in family issues, civil rights, inheritance and compensation. She applied to come to the UK under the government’s Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme (ACRS), but her application was refused last year.

ACRS launches in January 2022 with the goal of resettling 5,000 Afghans in the first year and 20,000 Afghans within five years. It aims to help those who “assist British efforts in Afghanistan and defend British values” as well as vulnerable groups such as women and girls. Other female judges have been granted asylum in the UK under the scheme.

Aifa recalls falling into a state of anxiety when the Taliban seized power in the Afghan capital.

“All the judges were scared,” Aifa added. “It was very worrying. People were scared about the future. I was working when the Taliban came to Kabul. When we learned about it, we fled the office. We left the documents in the workplace to save ourselves.”

I was working when the Taliban came to Kabul. When we learned about this, we all fled the office. We save ourselves by leaving documents in the workplace.

She remembers running straight from the office to a relative’s house because she felt she would be in danger if she went to her own home.

“The Taliban started searching houses,” Aifa added. “That’s why my colleagues and I left our permanent address and we lived in different places for short periods of time, about every ten days we moved. I didn’t feel safe in a fixed place. We Don’t want to put yourself, your kids or your husband in danger.”

Aifa, who has several children, said she and other judges could be forced to move quickly if neighbors informed them the Taliban were looking for them.

“A few weeks ago, my friends told me that the Taliban would come and search their house, so they said ‘please leave,’” she explained. “I lived in a very cold room with my children. It was snowing and I didn’t have enough clothes for my children to wear, but the youngest was five and still very, very uncomfortable.”

She said she submitted an asylum application to the United States about a year ago, but there has been no progress or updates.

Since seizing power after the withdrawal of U.S. and British troops, the Taliban have barred women from the workplace, education and public spaces, banned them from all sports and denied them the right to travel alone. Just days ago, the Taliban announced it would resume stoning women for committing adultery in public.

Some judges said they did not have enough money for Eid. When I break my fast here and eat, I think about them and how they cope. They have had no income for three years.

Marzia Babakahair

“They move every few days,” Ms. Baba Kahair said of Afghanistan’s female judges. “You send people to prison and now these people have power… Of course, you are afraid. The enemy is now in power. As their days in Afghanistan grow longer, their difficulties increase.” Some judges Lives are shattered.”

Moving from house to house to escape Taliban attacks during the fasting month of Ramadan is particularly difficult, she said.

“Some judges said they did not have enough money for Eid,” Ms. Baba Kakhar added. “When I break my fast and eat here, I think about them and how they are coping. They have had no income for three years.”

independent The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

*Names have been changed to protect identity