Taliban has cracked down on journalists in Afghanistan, made arrests: UN

Kabul, Aug 17 (EFE).- The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Thursday that the Taliban government has taken into custody several Afghan journalists across six provinces of the country over the past ten days.

“In the last 10 days, the de facto authorities have detained media workers in six provinces across Afghanistan,” UNAMA said in a statement without specifying the exact number of those arrested.

However, Hujatullah Mujadidi, head of the Afghanistan Independent Journalists Union told EFE that at least “ten journalists have remained in custody” of the Taliban government in the country.

UNAMA also expressed concern over the continued detainment of Journalist Mortaza Behbood and girls’ education activist Matiullah Wesa, who were apprehended earlier this year and has still “remained in the custody of the de facto authorities.”

Wesa is well known in Afghanistan for launching education campaigns throughout the country since 2009.

He had been a vocal critic of the Taliban stance against women’s education in Afghanistan following their return to power in August 2021.

“UNAMA reminds the de facto authorities of their obligations under international law to respect, uphold and promote rights to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the rights of all who are detained to see their family, meet with a lawyer and know the charges against them,” it said.

According to the International Federation of Journalists, among those detained by the Taliban this month include Habibullah Sarab, an employee of Arian Television; Jan Agha Salah and Faqir Mohammad, reporters for Radio Killid; and Haseeb Hasas, who works for Radio Salam Watandar. EFE

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