Taliban Arrests Journalist Habib-ur-Rahman Taseer in Afghanistan, Press Freedom Group Demands Release

The Afghanistan Journalists Centre (AFJC) has called for the immediate release of journalist Habib-ur-Rahman Taseer, who was arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Taseer, a correspondent for the Pashto-language Khurshid TV, was detained by Taliban intelligence agents on April 15, 2024 in Kandahar city.

According to the AFJC, Taseer was arrested while reporting on a story . The reasons for his detention have not been disclosed by the Taliban authorities. The AFJC has strongly condemned the arrest, calling it a blatant violation of press freedom and the right to information.

"The arbitrary detention of Habib-ur-Rahman Taseer is unacceptable and a clear attack on press freedom in Afghanistan ," said AFJC Executive Director Ahmad Quraishi. "We demand that the Taliban immediately release Taseer and allow journalists to carry out their work without fear of arrest or harassment."

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, there have been growing concerns about deteriorating media freedoms in the country. Journalists have faced increasing threats, violence, and restrictions on their work. Many media outlets have been forced to close due to pressure from the Taliban, while others have had to self-censor to avoid reprisals.

Why this matters: The arrest of Habib-ur-Rahman Taseer highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists working in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Press freedom is a critical component of a free and democratic society, and the suppression of media voices raises serious concerns about human rights and access to information in the country.

The AFJC has documented numerous cases of journalists being detained, threatened, or attacked by the Taliban in recent months. In a statement, the organization called on the international community to pressure the Taliban to respect press freedom and the rights of journalists. "The world must not remain silent while journalists in Afghanistan are being silenced," Quraishi said.

Key Takeaways

• AFJC calls for release of journalist Habib-ur-Rahman Taseer, arrested by Taliban.
• Taseer was detained while reporting in Kandahar, reasons for arrest not disclosed.
• AFJC condemns arrest as violation of press freedom and right to information.
• Media freedoms have deteriorated under Taliban rule, with journalists facing threats.
• AFJC urges international community to pressure Taliban to respect press freedom.