Kabul, Afghanistan (HRNW): Human Rights Watch has called on the Taliban authorities to immediately release six NGO workers and two United Nations employees detained in Afghanistan, warning that the arrests are increasing pressure on humanitarian and civil-society operations at a time when millions of Afghans remain dependent on international assistance.
According to Human Rights Watch, six male employees of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF) were detained after Taliban forces raided the organization’s Kabul office on 21 June. The organization says the staff members were subsequently detained on 18 July and that information about their condition and whereabouts has remained limited.
Human Rights Watch also reported that two Afghan employees of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) were detained by Taliban intelligence officials in Herat on 9 August. The UN has reportedly not been informed of charges against the employees or permitted access to them.
The arrests have generated concern among humanitarian and human-rights organizations because restrictions on NGO personnel can directly affect the delivery of healthcare, protection services, education, food assistance, women’s rights programmes, and other humanitarian activities.
Human Rights Watch has urged the Taliban authorities to disclose the legal basis for the detentions, provide detainees with due-process protections, and release those held without lawful justification. The organization has also emphasized that humanitarian and human-rights workers must be able to operate safely and independently.
The development comes as Afghanistan marks five years since the Taliban returned to power, with international organizations continuing to raise concerns over restrictions on women and girls, freedom of expression, civil society, and humanitarian operations.
Support Appeal
Support the World’s No.1 dedicated Human Rights News Agency to enhance its mission of promoting justice, equality, peace, humanitarian action, protection of human rights defenders, and human dignity worldwide. Your generous contribution enables HRNW to continue publishing independent, credible, and timely reporting on humanitarian crises and organizations defending fundamental freedoms.
Support HRNW: Support HRNW – World’s No.1 dedicated Human Rights News Agency
Disclaimer
This HRNW report summarizes information and concerns publicly reported by Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, and other reliable sources. Allegations concerning detentions and treatment are attributed to the cited organizations and are not presented as final judicial findings by HRNW. HRNW maintains complete editorial independence.
