During the Taliban's seven-year rule, much of the population experienced restrictions on their freedom and violations of their human rights. Women were banned from jobs, girls forbidden to attend schools or universities.‏⁵⁸ Communists were systematically eradicated and thieves were punished by amputating one of their hands or feet.‏⁵⁹ Opium production was nearly wiped out by the Taliban by 2001.‏⁶⁰