MONITORING (SW) – The Amnesty International has urged the Islamic Emirate authorities in Afghanistan to stop arbitrary arrests of journalists, civil society activists, former government officials and those who dissent under the Taliban rule.
In a statement issued on Monday, it said the rights to freedom of expression, liberty and assembly are increasingly being curtailed, and any form of dissent is met with enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and unlawful detention.
It said enforced disappearances of women, and arbitrary arrest of journalists and civil society activists seem to be the latest tactics adopted by the Taliban to silence voices that speak out. “The nine cases that we have documented contribute to a growing pattern of arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions and enforced disappearances by the Taliban against those who have tried to question the Taliban by way of peaceful protests or by exercising their right to freedom of expression”, it said.
According to the AI, the situation is particularly grim for women, who face the risk of being forcibly disappeared for protesting against a rapid reversal of their rights.
“The Taliban’s continued denial of the whereabouts of women who have forcibly disappeared until they were released, points to their sheer lack of accountability and commitment towards protection of Afghan people”, it said.
It said the Taliban – in particular the Taliban General Directorate of Intelligence – have been arbitrarily detaining activists, journalists, women’s rights activists and members of the former government in increasing numbers.
According to a UN report published in January, over 100 former members of government and its security forces have been killed since 15 August 2021, when the former government collapsed and the Taliban took control.
It further said Afghan journalists increasingly harassed by Taliban intelligence and new ministry.
There has been no reaction from the Islamic Emirate in this connection.
ENDS
