UNAMA has recorded human rights abuses of more than 200 journalists in Afghanistan since the Taliban took the power in August 2021, the UN mission reports. It also warned that the media in Afghanistan is in peril.
On the occasion of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, UNAMA also warned in a tweet on Wednesday, November02, that “media in Afghanistan is in peril”.
According to the UNAMA, the level of human rights abuses of journalists in Afghanistan is unprecedented. The UN mission added that the “record high numbers” of these abuses include “arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation.”
UNAMA further called for protection of journalists and end impunity for crimes against them.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also said that more than 70 journalists have been killed this year for simply fulfilling their vital role in society. “Most crimes against journalists go unsolved.”, Guterres tweeted earlier today Wednesday, November 2.
Afghanistan is one of the least secure countries for journalists. Since the Taliban’s return to power, the ruling group have arrested and threatened journalists many times and unknown groups, on the other hand, have targeted and assassinated journalists throughout Afghanistan.
Even though the cases of murder of journalists and media workers are less reported; the Taliban, on the other hand, have imposed extensive restrictions on journalists and media operations.
Almost half of the media in Afghanistan have been closed and the majority of journalists have lost their jobs or emigrated to other countries since the Taliban returned to power.
