Matthew Parkes is a program officer for the Afghanistan and Central Asia program at USIP.

In this role, he supports the coordination and management of the program’s activities in Washington and throughout Central Asia. This includes dozens of public and private events as well as regular trips to the region to meet with USIP partners. Prior to USIP, he worked for AG International Law Firm, PeaceTech Lab and numerous peacebuilding and nonprofit organizations.

Parkes received his master’s in conflict resolution from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s in political science and genocide studies from Keene State College.

Publications By Matthew

Don’t Look Away from China’s Atrocities Against the Uyghurs

Don’t Look Away from China’s Atrocities Against the Uyghurs

Thursday, April 6, 2023

By: Lauren Baillie;  Matthew Parkes

While atrocity crimes — and the pursuit for accountability — in Ukraine have dominated global attention in the last year, momentum has continued to build in seeking accountability for China’s crimes against the Uyghurs and other minority groups. Most of this progress has been made at the state level, including legal cases under the principle of universal jurisdiction, atrocity determinations finding that genocide and crimes against humanity are ongoing, and efforts to exclude Chinese goods made with forced labor from domestic markets. Although this momentum has been slow and not without setbacks, it has also been steady, strengthening the record of Beijing’s crimes against the Uyghurs and the overall case for accountability.

Type: Analysis

Human RightsJustice, Security & Rule of Law

After a Year of Taliban Rule, Advances for Afghan Women and Youth Have All but Evaporated

After a Year of Taliban Rule, Advances for Afghan Women and Youth Have All but Evaporated

Thursday, August 25, 2022

By: Belquis Ahmadi;  Matthew Parkes

Despite prior assurances that they had moderated their positions, the past year of Taliban rule has been marred by a disturbing rollback of women’s and girl’s basic rights as 20 years of advancements have nearly evaporated. Meanwhile, the current economic crisis has forced young Afghans out of the workforce and left them in dire financial and humanitarian straits. USIP’s Belquis Ahmadi and Matthew Parkes examine how the Taliban’s oppressive policies have affected Afghan women, girls and youth over the last 12 months and offer ways for the United States and international community to support Afghanistan’s next generation.

Type: Analysis

GenderYouth

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