The United Nations has raised concern over the violent crackdown on Afghan protesters and journalists by the Taliban.
They asked the militant group to cease the force and detention of those exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
In a statement on Friday, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Ravina Shamdasani said, “Peaceful protesters across various provinces in Afghanistan over the past four weeks have faced an increasingly violent response by the Taliban, including the use of live ammunition, batons, and whips.”
“As Afghan women and men take to the streets during this time of great uncertainty in their country. To press peacefully for their human rights to be respected including women’s right to work. To freedom of movement, to education and political participation it is crucial that those in power listen to their voices,”. Ravina Shamdasani added.
The UN also took note of the Taliban’s order prohibiting “unauthorized assemblies” and internet blackout in specific areas of Kabul.
“Protests have been taking place since August 15 and were increasing in number until Wednesday evening’s instruction on the prohibition of unlawful assemblies. Reports indicated a growing resort by the Taliban to force against those involved in or reporting on the demonstrations,” Ravina Shamdasani said.
Ravina Shamdasani also said that journalists involved in reporting on protests must not face reprisals or other harassment. Even if an assembly is declared unlawful or is dispersed.
TALIBAN CRACKDOWN ON JOURNALISTS
Several protests have taken place in Kabul ever since the Taliban seized control of the capital city on August 15. On Tuesday, September 7, the Taliban announced its all-male cabinet. Prompting the Afghan women to take to the streets of Kabul.
The women reportedly urged the Taliban to uphold their commitments to ensure women’s rights are preserved. Also demanded the appointment of women in high-ranking government positions.
Taliban used whips to beat the Two local journalists.Tagi Daryabi and Neamatullah Naqdi during the protests, and pictures of their bruised bodies went viral on social media.
According to a report in the Associated Press, the Taliban fighters bound the hands of the two journalists and dragged them away to a police station in Kabul’s District Three.
Tagi told the Associated Press that the first thing he heard in the station were screams from a nearby room. Later, the Taliban fighters beat him and his colleague with non-stop beating for 10 minutes.
“I couldn’t think. I didn’t know if I would be killed or if I would live,” Tagi Daryabi told the Associated Press.
However, Tagi Daryabi said he would return to the street to cover another protest. It’s very dangerous for me to stand up to them. The Taliban say the media is free, but how can they say that when they are beating me and my colleagues?” he said. “We cannot just stop our work.”
After the formal exit of the US and Nato forces from Afghanistan on August 31, hundreds of Afghans in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif are still waiting to leave the country. Many of these have worked for the US and German military and fear they would be forgotten.
Image Credit: Wikipedia
