or long-term initiatives. With this smallsized, short-term funding assistance, HRDs are highly restricted, only to operate on adhoc basis and without adequate resources required for staff capacity building and strategic human rights work. misinformation to us.”53 HRDs during the focus group sessions put forward similar issues, expressing their deep concerns over an increasing disconnection from HRDs and first-hand information from inside Afghanistan. It has also been stressed that a large portion of this small financial support covers only emergency and relocation costs, and dries up beyond that. Some HRDs also shared the challenges surrounding registering or establishing their organisations in exile, where legal restrictions, combined with lengthy bureaucratic processes have largely limited their capacity. After successful registration of their entities, opening bank accounts remains another problem. For example, a WHRD based in Norway said, “After successful negotiation, the donor agreed to offer me a small grant to fund my project, but due to problems surrounding opening a bank account, I failed to start the project in the first place.”52 The reasons are primarily two-fold. First, there is an unprecedented level of repression on civic space and fears of retaliation at the hands of the Taliban. Many HRDs worry that if their phones, computers or other devices were seized by the Taliban, whether on the street or during a house search, it could put them in danger. Additionally, they often lack knowledge on how to collect, store, and share data securely, and how to use digital tools for safe communication. Meanwhile, limited access to and the inability to afford high-speed internet also remains a significant barrier. Secondly, there is a lack of a holistic protection mechanism, not only to safeguard in-country HRDs but also streamline their channel of communication and flow of information with those in exile. In doing so, HRDs suggested that international stakeholders such as the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) should establish a protection mechanism to safeguard in-country HRDs and advocate for and protect them when they face difficulties, including getting arrested by the Taliban. An increasing consensus of HRDs in exile indicates a lack of a well-structured coordination mechanism to facilitate effective collaboration, communication, and joint action among HRDs in exile and INGOs and other stakeholders. They believed that a well-structured coordination mechanism also helps with information and resource sharing, and networking with relevant local stakeholders within the host countries. HRDs interviewed also stressed that effective coordination will also bridge the existing gap between exiled HRDs and those inside Afghanistan. For example, a WHRD described communication problems as such: “Being outside of Afghanistan, we face limitations in accessing accurate and primary information, often relying on secondary sources and social media and there is a risk that it might occasionally convey 52 Anonymous, “Afghanistan Women Human Rights Defender based in Norway,” In an Interview with the Author, May 9, 2024. Many HRDs also highlighted the necessity of receiving training in certain areas, including among other things, secure digital communication tools, risk assessment, advocacy, and topics related to human rights education for HRDs inside Afghanistan. It would help both HRDs in exile and those inside Afghanistan to establish and maintain secure contact, exchange and share resources. Differences 53 Anonymous, “Afghanistan Women Human Rights Defender in Sweden,” In an Interview with the Author, May 12, 2024. 21