KABUL (SW) – The Free Speech Hub has expressed grim concerns over the arrest of two private TV journalists by the Islamic Emirate forces in Kabul on Monday.
The non-profit institution serving Afghan journalists, focused mainly on upholding press freedom, said in a statement that the two Ariana News reporters, Aslam Hijab and Waris Hasrat, were arrested by Taliban at the entrance of Ariana TV compound. The reason for the arrest of these reporters is not yet clear.
Officials of the Islamic Emirate have not yet commented on the matter.
But, Ariana News confirmed the arrests. The head of the network, Sharif Hassanyar described the arrest of his colleagues as “horrific” and said he was concerned about the health of the journalists. Hassanyar has called on the Islamic Emirate to release its journalists without any pre-conditions.
The families of the two journalists are also worried about their health. The Free Speech Hub condemned the arrest of the two journalists and said such arrests by the Islamic Emirate violate human rights and freedom of expression standards.
It also called on international institutions, media and journalist support organizations to stop systematic pressure and repression against the Afghan media and journalists and not to allow the freedom of the Afghan people and media to be trampled underfoot and the voice of freedom of speech is silenced.
At least several journalists have so far been arrested and beaten by the Islamic Emirate forces.
ENDS
