The United Nations’ mission to Afghanistan mentioned on Tuesday (Nov 26) the ruling Taliban had arbitrarily detained journalists 256 occasions since their takeover three years in the past, and urged authorities there to guard the media.
In a reply accompanying the report, the Taliban-led overseas ministry denied having arrested that variety of journalists and added that these arrested had dedicated against the law.
Journalists in Afghanistan labored beneath “difficult circumstances”, the UN mission (UNAMA) and the UN Human Rights Workplace mentioned in an announcement.
“They typically face unclear guidelines on what they’ll and can’t report, operating the danger of intimidation and arbitrary detention for perceived criticism,” mentioned Roza Otunbayeva, the particular consultant of Secretary-Basic Antonio Guterres.
“We urge the de facto authorities to make sure the security and safety of all journalists and media staff as they perform their duties, and to totally recognise the significance of ladies working within the media,” she added.
In its response, the ministry mentioned ladies continued to work within the media, topic to sure circumstances to fulfill spiritual morality guidelines, resembling masking their faces and dealing individually from males.
It described the UN report as being “removed from precise realities” and mentioned safety forces had been working to guard journalists. The Afghan info ministry didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The overseas ministry mentioned the arrest determine was “exaggerated” and detentions befell topic to regulation.
“Nobody is arrested arbitrarily,” it mentioned, itemizing the infringements of these detained.
These ranged from encouraging individuals to behave towards the system, defaming the federal government and offering false and baseless reviews, to co-operation with the system’s enemies within the media, and offering materials to media shops towards the system, it added.
The Taliban swept to energy in 2021 as overseas forces withdrew, vowing to revive safety and impose their strict interpretation of Islamic regulation.
Their administration has not been formally recognised by any overseas authorities and Western diplomats have mentioned the trail to recognition is being stalled by the Taliban’s curbs on ladies.
