Office of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) welcomed the release of Nargis Sadat and Zakaria Osuli from Taliban prison and demanded the release of all those who were arbitrarily detained by the group in Afghanistan.
“UNAMA welcomes reported release of Nargis Sadat & Zakaria Osuli, remains concerned about ongoing arbitrary detention of number of Afghanistan civil society activists, incl. rights defenders who have spoken out about rights of women & girls, some held incommunicado for months.” the UNAMA wrote in a tweet on Monday.
“We continue to engage with de facto authorities on cases but are dismayed by lack of information provided, despite ongoing requests. We call for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained. No Afghan should be detained for exercising their freedom of expression,” the UN mission added.
The Taliban has ramped up arrests of activists, women’s rights protesters, journalists, and former government officials over the past few months.
In March, the group arrested several activists and university lecturers, including Matiullah Wesa, a renowned education activist. The arrests, particularly Wesa’s detention, drew widespread condemnations and strong reactions.
