Wed Nov 27 05:23:43 UTC 2024: **UN Report: Over 300 Afghan Journalists Suffer Rights Breaches Under Taliban Rule**
Kabul, Afghanistan – A new United Nations report reveals that over 300 Afghan journalists have faced rights violations since the Taliban regained control in 2021. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Human Rights Office documented 336 cases of human rights abuses against journalists and media workers between August 2021 and September 2024. These violations include 256 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention, 130 cases of torture and ill-treatment, and 75 instances of threats and intimidation.
The report highlights a shrinking media sector in Afghanistan, operating under strict censorship and restrictions imposed by the Taliban government. UNAMA chief Roza Otunbayeva stated that journalists face unclear reporting guidelines, leading to arbitrary detention for perceived criticism. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid responded, asserting that Afghan media must adhere to national interests and Islamic values, while claiming that detentions are not prolonged.
The number of media employees in Afghanistan has plummeted from approximately 8,400 to 5,100 since the Taliban takeover, with women particularly affected. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stressed the need to protect all journalists, including women. Reporters Without Borders reflects this decline, ranking Afghanistan 178th out of 180 countries in press freedom, a significant drop from its 122nd position in 2021.
First Piper 