The United Nations has called for the immediate release of all detained journalists in Afghanistan, highlighting the severe decline in press freedom since the Taliban’s return to power. In a video message released on World Press Freedom Day, observed on May 3, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, condemned the Taliban’s increasingly oppressive measures against journalists, warning that the media landscape in the country is on the brink of collapse.
Since the Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021, journalists in Afghanistan have been subjected to a systematic campaign of arrests, intimidation, and violence. Bennett stressed that this disturbing trend continues to worsen, particularly for female journalists, who face harsher treatment and greater risks, often being forced to either abandon their profession or work in secrecy.
Bennett’s remarks underscore the Taliban’s blatant disregard for press freedom, a core human right, while urging the international community to bolster support for Afghan journalists in exile who continue to report under dire conditions.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) joined in condemning the severe repression of the media, highlighting the rapid erosion of independent journalism within the country. They emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights of journalists and ensuring a free and independent flow of information.
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) reported that at least 10 journalists remain imprisoned under Taliban rule, with numerous others facing ongoing threats, censorship, and the forced closure of media outlets. This alarming situation further underscores the dire state of press freedom in Afghanistan.
The UN’s appeal serves as a stark reminder of the Taliban’s continued crackdown on the media and the urgent need for sustained international pressure. The global community must extend its support to Afghan journalists, particularly women in the field, and work towards ensuring the survival of independent media in Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s actions reflect a disturbing trend of media repression, and only through continued international intervention can the future of press freedom in Afghanistan be protected.
