Two weeks after the arrest of Zarifa Yaqoubi, one of the protesting women and her colleagues in Kabul, the United Nations Human Rights Office has now called on de facto Taliban authorities for the release of these human rights defenders.
UN Human Rights tweeted this morning Friday November 18, calling Zarifa Yaqoubi a defender of Afghan women’s rights.
“Silencing women and constraining their work does not affect them alone, it impacts all of society.”, the UN Human Rights added.
According to UN Human Rights, “All Afghans have right to freedom of association, expression and belief.”
On Wednesday November 16, UNAMA tweeted that the rights of Zarifa Yaqoubi and other activists must be respected. Reasons for their continued detention should be made public. UNAMA added that the organization is seeking access to the detained and clarity on whereabouts of others.
“All detainees should be allowed contact with their families and have legal counsel.”, UNAMA emphasized.
Two weeks ago, the Taliban arrested Zarifa Yaqobi, a women’s rights activist, and four male attendees from a press conference in West of Kabul
The following days, it was also reported that the Taliban arrested Farhat Popalzai, Humaira Yusuf, and other protesting women.Amnesty International also expressed concern about the safety of these human rights defenders under Taliban custody and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
