KABUL (Pajhwok): The Netherlands-based KidsRights Foundation has ranked Afghanistan last in the global Children’s Rights Index 2026, while the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has rejected the report as baseless, saying it has taken necessary measures to protect children’s rights.
The KidsRights Foundation released the report on Wednesday.
The annual report, published by the foundation in cooperation with Erasmus University Rotterdam, evaluates countries based on indicators including the right to life, access to healthcare, education, protection and the overall situation of children’s rights.
According to the report, Afghanistan ranked 194th out of 194 countries, scoring 0.214 points overall.
The index placed Pakistan at 149th and Iran at 86th, while Luxembourg ranked first globally in terms of children’s rights. Iceland secured the second position.
The report stated that threats to children’s wellbeing worldwide, including the effects of conflicts, insecurity, and deteriorating social conditions, are increasing, while progress in children’s rights has slowed or reversed in many countries.
Meanwhile, Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the IEA, rejected the findings, calling the report “baseless and far from reality.”
He said the IEA had paid full attention to safeguarding children’s rights, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.
Fitrat added that the ban on hazardous child labour was being strictly enforced in Afghanistan.
kk/sa
