HRW: Taliban deliberately target journalists and women in media

The Taliban forces “deliberately” target journalists and other media workers, including women, in Afghanistan, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement issued today, April 01. It further said that the increased violence against journalists has heightened concerns about preserving freedom of expression and media in any peace settlement.

“Human Rights Watch found that Taliban commanders and fighters have engaged in a pattern of threats, intimidation, and violence against members of the media in areas where the Taliban have significant influence, as well as in Kabul,” the HRW noted. According to this international human rights watch, the Taliban provincial and district–level commanders and fighters threaten the Afghan journalists orally and in written messages even beyond their areas of control.