KABUL: In a concerning development, Islamic Emirate security forces have arrested nine journalists in Afghanistan over the past 10 days, sparking widespread alarm within the media community.
This crackdown, deemed unprecedented, has raised significant concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in the country. The detained journalists include Faqir Mohammad Faqirzai, Jan Agha Saleh, Haseeb Hassas, Habib Sarab, Sayed Wahdatullah Abdali, Shamsullah Omari, Wahidrahman Afghanmal, Ataullah Omar, and Parwiz Sargand.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a leading advocate for press freedom, issued a statement, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detained journalists. As the Taliban marks the second anniversary of their takeover, RSF’s call for freedom of the press resonates more urgently than ever.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has also expressed deep concern over the recent spate of arrests. Media workers have reportedly been detained in multiple provinces by the “de facto authorities” within the past 10 days. This alarming trend not only threatens the fundamental human rights of detained individuals but also violates international standards of freedom of expression.
Among those detained are not only journalists but also prominent figures like journalist Mortaza Behboudi and girls’ education activist Matiullah Wesa, both of whom have been in custody for several months. UNAMA stressed that the “de facto authorities” are bound by international law to uphold the rights to freedom of opinion and expression, ensure detainees’ access to legal representation, and provide transparency regarding charges.
Masroor Lutfi, the head of the Afghanistan National Journalists Union (ANJU), conveyed the widespread distress within the media community over the detainment of journalists. He emphasized that any matters concerning journalists should be addressed through proper legal channels rather than arbitrary detention, which only serves to erode freedom of speech and undermine the democratic process.
Mustafa Shaharyar, a respected journalist, highlighted the potentially dire consequences of continued detentions on freedom of speech. He argued that if journalists are apprehended regularly and without proper justification, it could have a chilling effect on the media landscape, inhibiting open discourse and stifling the voices of those seeking to inform the public.
Raqib Faiz, another journalist, echoed the sentiment, urging the interim government to cease the practice of detaining journalists. Faiz emphasized that the ongoing detainment of journalists is not a solution to any challenges the authorities might be facing and instead undermines the principles of a free and informed society.
In response to the mounting concern, Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, provided reassurance that the journalists’ detentions were not linked to their careers in journalism. He indicated that the allegations against them extend beyond their professional roles. Mujahid expressed the intention to resolve the issues and release the detained individuals once a satisfactory explanation is provided.
