Afghanistan Peace Campaign
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan has expressed deep concern over the detention of two Radio Begum employees and called for their immediate release.
Richard Bennett also urged for an end to the harassment and arbitrary detention of journalists by the Taliban. Bennett emphasized the importance of releasing the Radio Begum employees and condemned the harassment and arbitrary detentions of journalists and media workers, stating that such actions have “devastated the civic space in Afghanistan.”
Radio Begum was shut down on Tuesday by the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture, citing multiple charges, including airing programs for an overseas television network and “violating the terms and conditions of its license.”
Radio Begum also reported the confiscation of some of its equipment and stated that two of its employees had been arrested.
The closure of Radio Begum and the detention of its staff have sparked widespread reactions, with international organizations advocating for the unconditional release of the employees and the reversal of the ban on the radio station, which primarily caters to women.
The continued crackdown on independent media in Afghanistan has drawn significant global attention. This situation underscores the growing concerns about press freedom and the suppression of women’s voices in the country.
As the international community pressures the Taliban to uphold basic human rights, the case of Radio Begum serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by journalists and media organizations striving to operate in Afghanistan.