Nearly 90 percent of journalist killings in Afghanistan over the past two decades remain uninvestigated, the Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) revealed on Sunday, warning that a deepening culture of impunity continues to erode press freedom under Taliban rule.
In a statement marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, the AFJC urged the Taliban authorities to ensure justice for slain media workers and to uphold journalists’ rights amid mounting restrictions and intimidation.
According to the watchdog, at least 130 journalists have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001, while 640 violations against journalists and media workers have been recorded since the Taliban’s return to power. These include five killings, 265 detentions, and numerous cases of harassment, censorship, and threats.
The AFJC said the Taliban have consolidated control over the media landscape while using social media to target and intimidate Afghan journalists in exile.
“The ongoing culture of impunity, coupled with escalating threats, pressures, and restrictions, has detrimental consequences for Afghan society and the country’s development,” the organization said, calling for accountability to safeguard a free and independent press.
Since the Taliban takeover, many independent news outlets have been forced to close, hundreds of journalists have fled abroad, and those remaining face constant surveillance and arbitrary arrests.
International watchdogs consistently rank Afghanistan among the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists. The AFJC urged the Taliban to lift media restrictions, guarantee press freedom, and bring to justice those responsible for violence against journalists.
