UNAMA’s 3-month report on Human Rights situation in Afghanistan released

Khaama Press

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released its three-month report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, highlighting ongoing human rights violations across various dimensions.

The UNAMA report, published on Thursday, May 2nd, covers the human rights situation in Afghanistan during the first three months (January, February, and March) of the current year, addressing issues such as civilian casualties, women’s rights, media freedom, detention, torture, mistreatment, extrajudicial killings by former government members, physical punishment, and cases of execution.

In the section concerning civilian casualties, it is reported that from January 6th to January 11th, 2024, three explosive incidents occurred in Kabul, resulting in 79 civilian deaths and 68 others injured.

Other explosions, including one on March 21st in Kandahar, are documented in the UNAMA report, with ISIS claiming responsibility for the majority of these explosions.

Regarding women’s rights, the report highlights the ban on girls’ education in secondary schools and high schools. According to the report, the enforcement of the hijab guidelines and the ban on girls’ education by the Taliban regime authorities continues unabated.

The UNAMA Deputy Mission in Afghanistan also reported that the Taliban recorded five executions from August 15, 2021 (since its renewed control over Afghanistan) until the end of March 2024. This includes two executions on December 7, 2022, and June 20, 2023, in the provinces of Farah and Laghman, and three recent executions carried out in Ghazni.

The UNAMA documents continue to indicate that freedom of expression and the media in Afghanistan face complex challenges, which have been exacerbated by serious economic challenges during the first three months of the current year.

The report also mentions the detention of the editor-in-chief of Khama Press, who was arrested on February 17th for publishing a report on the declining presence of girls in Kabul city following the arrest of girls on charges of improper veiling.

UNAMA concludes that in addition to the ongoing violations of women’s and girls’ rights and the intensification of restrictions against journalists and media outlets, the overall human rights situation has not improved.

The Taliban regime has consistently denied reports from the international community and organizations, asserting their inaccuracy. As Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban administration, stated in an interview with Tolo News after the report’s release, the UNAMA report is not accurate.

UNAMA’s 3-month report on Human Rights situation in Afghanistan released
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Officials: Foreign Countries Hinder Afghanistan’s Academic Progress

Shiva says he is striving to standardize medicine in the country to unite doctors and scientific personalities living abroad.

Lotfullah Khairkhwa, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, states that some foreign countries are creating obstacles to the scientific development of the country.

Khairkhwa, during a ceremony honoring an Afghan surgeon residing in Germany at Paktia University, stated that the Islamic Emirate is committed to scientific advancement in the country and emphasizes that it will not allow any foreign obstacles in this regard.

The Deputy Minister of Higher Education said at the event: “As an official of the Ministry of Higher Education, I promise you that we will not waste any opportunity for progress based on our available resources and will not allow anyone to create obstacles in this path.”

Bismillah Shiva, an Afghan surgeon residing in Germany at Paktia University, has been awarded the ‘Leonardo Schweiber’ prize for 2024 by the German Surgeons Association.

Shiva says he is striving to standardize medicine in the country to unite doctors and scientific personalities living abroad.

Bismillah Shiva stated, “Many of our academic staff are abroad, and we can form a cohesive group outside the country to utilize their knowledge to enhance the capacity of our youth.”

Meanwhile, a number of students at Paktia University are asking the Islamic Emirate to prevent the exodus of scientific personnel from the country and facilitate the return of those who are abroad.

Hijrat Kamal, a student, said: “They should provide facilities so that they do not leave their country, as Afghan students and professors need their knowledge.”

Another student, Abdul Rahman, said: “We hope they will return to the country and share their practical experiences with us.”

According to the Deputy Minister of Higher Education, after recent developments, 350 scientific staff have left the country; however, as a result of the efforts of this ministry, 70 of them have returned to the country.

Officials: Foreign Countries Hinder Afghanistan’s Academic Progress
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The Islamic State group says it was behind a mosque attack in Afghanistan that killed 6 people

Associated Press
May 1, 2024

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for a deadly shooting this week targeting members of the country’s minority Shiite community inside a mosque in western Afghanistan that killed six people.

The militant group said in a statement posted on its Telegram website late on Tuesday that one of its members attacked a “Shiite temple” in Herat province with machine-gun fire. The attack, which took place on Monday night in the district of Guzara, also left one person wounded.

The attacker fled the scene. The Taliban Interior Ministry has said that an investigation is underway.

Local media reported that the mosque’s imam was among those killed. The U.N. mission in Afghanistan condemned the attack, saying a child was among the victims. It called for urgent accountability for perpetrators and protection measures for Shiite communities.

Pakistan’s foreign affairs ministry said Wednesday that “the people and government of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences to the people of Afghanistan.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families in this hour of grief,” it said. The statement added that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms.

The IS affiliate in Afghanistan is a major Taliban rival and frequently targets schools, hospitals, mosques and Shiite areas throughout the country.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, during the last weeks of the chaotic departure of U.S. and NATO troops from the country after 20 years of war.

Despite initial promises of a more moderate stance, the Taliban gradually reimposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law, or Shariah, as they did during their previous rule of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.

 

The Islamic State group says it was behind a mosque attack in Afghanistan that killed 6 people
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Iran warns of deporting Afghan citizens, unauthorized hiring

Ahmad Vahidi, the Minister of Interior Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated that Afghan migrants are beloved people who have come here to escape the oppression of tyrants and oppressors.

In an interview with the Iranian media IRNA on Wednesday, May 1st, this high-ranking official of the Islamic Republic of Iran mentioned that Afghan migrants, from a humane perspective, have abandoned their homes and lives under the pressure of tyrants and oppressors and have come here.

Mr Vahidi added that, based on humaneness and ethical principles, they had accepted them, but now our capacity is full, and they should not come beyond this. Those who are undocumented migrants here should be provided with the means to return.

He further stated, “Currently, we do not accept unauthorized citizens, and any institution that employs unauthorized citizens is committing an offence.”

Since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, a significant number of Afghans have chosen to migrate to neighbouring countries like Iran and Pakistan. Faced with political instability, economic uncertainty, and restricted freedoms, many have sought refuge across the borders for safety and opportunities.

However, the forced deportation of Afghan migrants has led to a dire humanitarian crisis. These individuals often face security threats and the risk of violence upon their return to Afghanistan. The abrupt displacement exacerbates their vulnerability, leaving them without adequate protection and support in their home country.

Upon returning to Afghanistan, migrants encounter a lack of essential amenities and face numerous challenges. Infrastructure deficiencies, limited access to education and healthcare, and economic hardships await them. Meanwhile, their reintegration process is hindered by the ongoing instability and precarious conditions in both Afghanistan and the neighbouring countries they once sought refuge.

Iran warns of deporting Afghan citizens, unauthorized hiring
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World Bank Provides $84 Million to Afghanistan

1 May 2024

A number of Kabul residents told TOLOnews that they need more aid in the current situation and that this aid should be distributed transparently.

The World Bank in a statement said that it will provide $84 million in aid to Afghanistan.

The World Bank’s statement mentioned that this aid will be used to combat the economic crisis, implement livelihood projects, support women, address climate change, and support returning migrants to Afghanistan.

The statement said: “The project started in 2022 with a grant of $265 million from the ARTF to provide livelihoods support and services in rural and urban areas, support social grants for women and the most vulnerable, and strengthen community institutions for inclusive service delivery.”

The Ministry of Economy, welcoming the World Bank’s aid, said that this could contribute to economic growth and adaptation of projects to create jobs for the citizens of the country.

Abdul Rahman Habib, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, said: “Implementing these projects can lead to job creation, improved service delivery in urban and rural areas, and addressing the problems of migrants returning to the country. Focusing on employment generation projects can improve the economic situation of our people.”

Meanwhile, a number of Kabul residents told TOLOnews that they need more aid in the current situation and that this aid should be distributed transparently.

“The people are poor, destitute, can barely find work for three days in a month, I have ten dependents at home, and I have been in debt for the rent for a year and a half,” said Omar Ali, a Kabul resident.

“The allocation of $84 million by the World Bank to assist the economy of Afghanistan and the vulnerable people in Afghanistan is a small amount compared to the economic crisis that Afghanistan is facing and in comparison to the economic challenges that the people are struggling with,” Mir Shekib Mir, an economic analyst, told TOLOnews.

Following the return of the Islamic Emirate to power in the country, most international institutions, including the World Bank, ceased their activities in Afghanistan, and it is hoped the resumption of these institutions’ activities will have a positive impact on the country’s economy.

World Bank Provides $84 Million to Afghanistan
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Washington Engages With Kabul for US Interests: State Dept

Vedant Patel, told journalists that his country also uses this opportunity to combat terrorism and address human rights issues.

The US Department of State said that Washington interacts with the Islamic Emirate to protect America’s national interests.

The deputy spokesman for the US Department of State, Vedant Patel, told journalists that his country also uses this opportunity to combat terrorism and address human rights issues.

Patel said: “We engage when it is in the United States’s interest to do so. This is the best way to not just protect U.S. national interests but also support the Afghan people.”

Meanwhile, Hamdullah Fetrat, the deputy spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that the Islamic Emirate seeks good relations and positive engagement with all countries worldwide, including the US.

The deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate said: “The Islamic Emirate wants good and positive relations with all countries, including America, and believes that through political engagement and diplomatic relations, appropriate solutions can be found for all issues.”

A number of political analysts said good relations and positive engagement of the Islamic Emirate with all countries around the world, including the US, are significant.

“Countries adjust their level of interaction with each other based on their own interests, and in some cases, human rights issues are their secondary considerations,” said Tariq Farhadi, another political analyst.

“Americans want schools for girls in Afghanistan to be opened and jobs provided to them, and at the same time, they want prisoners held in Afghanistan to be released, all for increasing engagement,” said Moeen Gul Samkanai, a political analyst.

Earlier, officials of the Islamic Emirate said that the interim government of Afghanistan desires peace and stability in the region and the world and does not allow anyone to use Afghan soil against other countries.

Washington Engages With Kabul for US Interests: State Dept
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Kabir: Islamic Emirate Supports Stability in the Region and the World

This senior official of the Islamic Emirate reiterated that no one will be allowed to use Afghan soil against other countries.

The Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, stated that the Islamic Emirate seeks stability in the region and the world.

Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, during the graduation ceremony of students at Kabul Polytechnic University, said that the orders and pressures of world countries are not acceptable.

This senior official of the Islamic Emirate reiterated that no one will be allowed to use Afghan soil against other countries.

“The Islamic Emirate supports peace and stability in the region and the world, and we do not allow anyone to misuse our land. The Islamic Emirate does not succumb to anyone’s commands or pressures, instead, it values the enhancement of the capacities of academic and professional staff. Educational institutions and teachers must educate the country’s youth within the framework of Islamic and national values,” said Mawlawi Abdul Kabir.

The acting Minister of Vice and Virtue, who was another speaker at the event, stated that the era of warlordism in the country has ended, and now all Afghans are united under the umbrella of an Islamic regime.

According to Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Islamic Emirate is not opposed to modern education, and they want students to learn religious sciences along with modern sciences.

“The country has now ended the era of warlordism, factionalism, ethnic divisiveness, and partisanship, and we are all one Afghan nation,” he said.

The acting Minister of Higher Education said that society needs well-qualified individuals in both modern and religious sciences, and the Islamic Emirate is attentive in this field.

“For the prosperity and progress of the country, this society needs scholars, Hafizes, Muftis, doctors, engineers, judges, and imams of congregational prayers, without whom we cannot be self-sufficient,” said Neda Mohammad Nadim.

Latifullah Khairkhwa, the deputy of the Ministry of Higher Education, said at the event: “I promise you that we will use all available resources to enhance academic capacities in universities.”

According to information from Kabul Polytechnic University, 550 engineers from 17 different fields have graduated.

These graduates request the caretaker government to provide them with job opportunities in the country so they can serve their nation and its people.

Kabir: Islamic Emirate Supports Stability in the Region and the World
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Global, Domestic Condemnation Follows Deadly Mosque Attack in Herat

UNAMA and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights also called for accountability for the perpetrators of this attack.

The recent attack on Shia worshippers at a mosque in the Guzara district of Herat has sparked widespread condemnation from both local and international bodies. 

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Richard Bennett, the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, along with the Iranian Embassy in Kabul, have strongly condemned the attack, urging swift justice for those responsible.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, head of the former government’s High Council for National Reconciliation, echoed these sentiments, labeling the attack as contrary to all Islamic and human norms. Hamid Karzai on social media platform X denounced the attack, calling it a violation of religious and human principles, while Abdullah Abdullah described the attack as “cowardly” and a clear act of terrorism, expressing his sympathy for the victims and survivors.

Hamid Karzai said: “I strongly condemn this attack, which resulted in the wounding of a number of our dear compatriots, and consider this terrorist act against all religious and human norms.”

Abdullah Abdullah said of the attack: “I consider this cowardly attack on our defenseless compatriots to be against Islamic and human norms.”

The Iranian Embassy highlighted its readiness to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation with Afghanistan in response to the attack.

UNAMA and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights also called for accountability for the perpetrators of this attack.

Tariq Farhadi, a political analyst, told TOLOnews: “It would be better if more serious security measures are considered in Shia gathering places.”

Wais Nasiri, another political analyst said: “As long as activities, presence, and competition of insurgent groups are not curbed in Afghanistan, unfortunately, Afghanistan will remain a center and base for terrorist groups, and the proxy wars of these groups and powerful countries will continue.”

The attack resulted in the deaths of seven individuals, including the mosque’s Imam, and left several others injured.

No group has yet claimed responsibility, and security officials have not provided comments on the matter.

Global, Domestic Condemnation Follows Deadly Mosque Attack in Herat
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The Taliban are working to woo tourists to Afghanistan

BY RIAZAT BUTT
Associated Press

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Around 30 men are crammed into a Kabul classroom, part of the debut student cohort at a Taliban-run institute training tourism and hospitality professionals.

It’s a motley crew. One student is a model. Another is 17 and has no job history.

The students vary in age, education level and professional experience. They’re all men — Afghan women are banned from studying beyond sixth grade — and they don’t know anything about tourism or hospitality. But they are all eager to promote a different side of Afghanistan. And the Taliban are happy to help.

Afghanistan’s rulers are pariahs on the global stage, largely because of their restrictions on women and girls. The economy is struggling, infrastructure is poor, and poverty is rife.

And yet, foreigners are visiting the country, encouraged by the sharp drop in violence, increased flight connections with hubs like Dubai, and the bragging rights that come with vacationing in an unusual destination. The numbers aren’t huge — they never were — but there’s a buzz around Afghan tourism.

In 2021, there were 691 foreign tourists. In 2022, that figure rose to 2,300. Last year, there were 7,000.

Mohammad Saeed, the head of the Tourism Directorate in Kabul, said the biggest foreign visitor market is China because of its proximity and large population. Afghanistan also has advantages over some of its neighbors.

“They’ve told me they don’t want to go to Pakistan because it’s dangerous and they get attacked. The Japanese have said this to me also,” Saeed said. “This is good for us.”

But there are disadvantages, too.

Visas are difficult and expensive to access. Many countries severed ties with Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power, and no country recognizes them as the legitimate rulers of the country.
Afghan embassies either closed or suspended their operations. There’s an ongoing power struggle between Afghanistan’s embassies and consulates staffed by people from the former Western-backed administration, and those under the Taliban administration’s full control.

His ultimate aim is to have a visa on arrival for tourists, but that could be years away. There are problems with the road network, which is half-paved or non-existent in some parts of the country, and airlines largely avoid Afghan airspace.

The capital Kabul has the most international flights, but no Afghan airport has direct routes with major tourist markets like China, Europe, or India.

Despite the challenges, Saeed wants Afghanistan to become a tourism powerhouse, an ambition that appears to be backed by the Taliban’s top leaders.

“I have been sent to this department on the instructions of the elders (ministers). They must trust me because they’ve sent me to this important place.”

The students also have aspirations. The model, Ahmed Massoud Talash, wants to learn about Afghanistan’s picturesque spots for Instagram posts and its history for media appearances.

Classes include Afghan handicrafts and anthropology basics.

An unofficial subject is how to interact with foreign women and how their behavior or habits could clash with local customs and edicts. Examples might be women smoking or eating in public, to mixing freely with men who are not related to them by blood or marriage.

The Taliban have imposed a dress code for women and requirements for them to have a male guardian, or mahram, when they travel. Dining alone, traveling alone, and socializing with other women in public have become harder. With gyms closed to women and beauty salons banned, there are fewer places where they can meet outside the home.

In a sign that the country is preparing for more overseas visitors, the country’s only five-star hotel, the Serena, has reopened its women’s spa and salon for foreign females after a monthslong closure.

Foreigners must show their passport to access services. Women with “born in Afghanistan” on their ID are barred.

The restrictions on Afghan women and girls weigh on overseas travel companies, who say they try to focus on the positive aspect of cultural interactions by making donations, supporting local projects or only visiting family-run businesses.

Shane Horan, the founder of Rocky Road Travel, said visiting Afghanistan should not be seen as an endorsement of any particular government or political regime.

“Ultimately, the goal should be to support responsible tourism practices that contribute positively to the local economy and foster mutual respect and understanding, while also remaining cognizant of the broader political context in Afghanistan.”

“It’s a heartbreaking situation,” said the official, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals. “Even female family members ask if they can study here. But there was a change in policy with the change in government. The women who were studying before (the takeover) never came back. They never graduated.”

 

The Taliban are working to woo tourists to Afghanistan
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Turkish Airlines to Resume Flights to Afghanistan After Nearly 3 Years

Officials at Turkish Airlines told TOLOnews that there will be four flights a week between Kabul and Istanbul.

Turkish Airlines said that after a suspension of two years and eight months, it will resume its flights to Afghanistan on May 21.

Officials at Turkish Airlines told TOLOnews that there will be four flights a week between Kabul and Istanbul.

Mirshakib Mir, an economist, said: “The resumption of flights by international aviation companies can foster competition in the aviation sector and increase the revenue of the country’s aviation industry.”

Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economist, said: “The start of international flights benefits several sectors; it facilitates travel for businessmen and reduces travel costs.”

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation welcomed the resumption of Turkish Airlines flights, pledging that they have provided all necessary facilities for aviation companies to restart their flights to Afghanistan.

Imamuddin Ahmadi, spokesman for the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, said: “The national and international airports are ready for flights; the country’s airports are equipped with the necessary equipment and operate according to international standards.”

The last flight by Turkish Airlines from Kabul Airport was on August 14, 2021, and following political changes in the country, the company also suspended its flights to Afghanistan.

This follows similar moves by Fly Dubai and Air Arabia, who have already resumed their flights to Afghanistan.

Turkish Airlines to Resume Flights to Afghanistan After Nearly 3 Years
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