Abdullah Athayi is a PhD candidate at the Institute of Asian and African Studies, Humboldt University in Berlin, focusing on Afghan diaspora, civic participation, integration and transnational engagement. He holds a master’s degree in Law and a bachelor’s degree in Law and Political Science from Kabul University. He started his civil society activities in Afghanistan at the time of the transition politics and international intervention in 2001. As an advocate for human rights, the rule of law and democracy, he actively participated in the vibrant post-2001 civil society of Afghanistan through research, advocacy and support to civil society organisations. Before his relocation to Berlin, he worked as a programme manager at the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s office in Kabul, where he promoted democracy, peace and security. Previously, he has worked as a Legal Manager at the Electoral Complaints Commission (ECC) for the 2010 parliamentary elections and as Deputy Director for the Human Rights and Eradication of Violence Organization.