A group of protesting women has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to prosecute Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. representative for Afghanistan peace affairs.

In an open letter to Trump, the women accused Zalmay Khalilzad of betraying American values and turning the Taliban into a legitimate group. They said his actions led to the oppression Afghan women now face under Taliban rule.

The protesters issued a statement on Saturday, March 22, accusing Khalilzad of contributing to the resurgence of the Taliban and of compromising women’s rights in Afghanistan. They believe that the peace agreements he helped facilitate have had devastating effects on the female population in the country, restricting their access to essential rights and opportunities for development.

The letter, signed by over a dozen women’s organizations, including the Afghan Women’s Lantern Movement and the Afghan Women’s Justice Movement, calls for Zalmay Khalilzad to be held accountable in a court of law.

The groups emphasized that Afghan women, as direct victims of Khalilzad’s actions, are suffering the catastrophic consequences of his policies. They demand a fair and transparent legal process to address these issues.

They emphasize that his efforts led to a situation where millions of Afghan women and girls have been deprived of education and employment opportunities.

This controversial call comes amid reports that Khalilzad has recently traveled to Afghanistan under Taliban rule as part of a U.S. delegation to negotiate the release of an American citizen. Despite the years of diplomatic work he has done, the women’s protests underscore their belief that his actions have indirectly harmed the future of millions of Afghanistan’s women.

As the protests continue to grow, there are increasing calls for accountability regarding the peace processes that led to the Taliban’s resurgence. These events highlight the stark contrast between the promises of peace and the harsh reality faced by Afghan women under Taliban rule. The growing dissatisfaction and outcry from women’s rights groups could influence future U.S. foreign policy decisions on Afghanistan.

In the past year, media freedom in Afghanistan has significantly worsened, with increased repression and challenges faced by journalists.

The Afghanistan Journalists Center recently released a report on media freedom and journalists’ rights in 2024, highlighting a sharp 24% increase in media repression compared to the previous year. This indicates a growing clampdown on media freedoms.

According to the report, there were 172 cases of media rights violations over the past year. This included the shutdown of 22 media outlets due to new restrictions and the arrest of more than 50 journalists.

The report notes a division in the approach of the Taliban-led government towards media, with the Ministry of Information and Culture sidelined and the implementation of a new law on ” Virtue and the Prevention of Vice,” giving authorities extensive powers to control media activities.

In 2024, at least 17 new directives were issued to media outlets, a significant increase from just four in 2023. Journalists who defied these orders faced threats, imprisonment, or were banned from practicing journalism temporarily or permanently.

New restrictions included banning phone calls between female journalists and media outlets in some provinces, prohibiting live political programs, and banning critical or challenging content related to government policies.

Before the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the government had issued at least 15 media directives, including prohibitions on women in media, coverage of protests, and broadcasting international channels.

Despite these challenges, the center expressed relief that no targeted attacks against media workers were reported in 2024, a contrast to the 168 violations recorded in the previous year, which included the killing of one journalist and the injury of 19 others.

The situation for female journalists has been especially difficult in Afghanistan over the past two years. With increasing discrimination and limited access to information, female reporters face higher hurdles compared to their male counterparts. These challenges have intensified after the reduction of foreign aid and the worsening economic situation within the media industry.

International bodies, such as the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have called for increased protection of journalists’ rights globally, especially in conflict zones like Afghanistan. With the media sector facing severe repression, it is crucial to create legal frameworks and support systems that allow for the free flow of information and the protection of journalists.