The report, jointly prepared by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), collected data on 336 cases of human rights violations against media workers since August. 2021 to September 2024.
Roza Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA, said the rules for journalists and media workers in Afghanistan are unclear and they do not have enough information on what cases can be reported and where it is prohibited.
Because of this, they are at risk of intimidation and arbitrary detention for so-called critical journalism.
“In any country, a free press is not a choice, but a necessity. “We’re seeing this need systematically eroded in Afghanistan.”
Cases of human rights violations
The report titled ‘Media Freedom in Afghanistan’ shared information on 256 cases of arbitrary arrest and detention and 130 cases of torture and ill-treatment.
There were an additional 75 cases of threats and intimidation, which created an atmosphere of fear.
Volker Turk, head of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, warned of the consequences of the current ban.
“Journalists and media workers are not just observers, they are essential to ensuring transparency and accountability and encouraging an intelligent debate.”
According to the head of human rights, their role in providing vital information to communities on humanitarian and security issues is crucial.
Obstacles for women journalists
According to the report, women media workers face severe restrictions. Women journalists pursuing their work face discriminatory rules, from dress codes to choosing issues to report on.
UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva called on the Taliban administration to fully understand the importance of women working in the media sector.
The report warns that declining international support for Afghanistan’s media sector could have far-reaching consequences.
According to the head of the UN mission, technical and financial support for the media in Afghanistan and solidarity for freedom of expression and public discourse are critical to the country’s progress.
The United Nations has called on the Taliban administration to comply with its obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression without discrimination.
Human rights chief Turk noted that a free and prosperous media is not a threat to stability, but essential to the health of the country and society.