Mr. Jalal’s arrest on fabricated and empty charges and his subsequent detention by the notorious intelligence services of the Taliban group marks yet another assault on the freedom of expression, and silencing any voice of critic and dissent, in continuation of outright human rights violations and abuses by the group. 

 

Freedom of expression and media is the backbone of a democratic polity and a prime achievement of the people of Afghanistan over the past two decades gained with immense sacrifices. Wary of further exposure of the cruel nature of the group, since the illegitimate military takeover of Kabul, freedom of expression and media sustained the highest toll of pressure by the Taliban. Intimidation, harassment, torture, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances have unfortunately brought about an environment of fear and self-censorship, leaving the abuses by the Taliban un-or-underreported. 

 

We ask for the immediate release of Mr. Jalal and putting an end to the current endemic of fear-mongering and abuses of the most basic rights and freedoms of over 30 million Afghans held captive by the group, and call on the international community and the United Nations to utilize every means in their caliber towards this end.

 

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Read Statement on the Loss of Basic Rights in Afghanistan, as the World Marks Human Rights Day