AFP, citing a source close to the case, reported that a young Afghan man was arrested in the city of Toulouse, France. The man is the brother of Nasir Ahmad Touhidi, who was arrested in Oklahoma, USA, and is accused of planning an attack on the U.S. presidential election day.

The French anti-terrorism court has not yet provided full details about the identity of the young man arrested in Toulouse.

According to AFP, the 22-year-old Afghan man intended to target a shopping center or a football stadium. French police arrested him after U.S. authorities, during their investigation of Nasir Ahmad Touhidi, shared information with the French police.

French police stated that three individuals were arrested in Toulouse on charges of “terrorism and plotting a suspected attack.” However, after initial investigations, the French anti-terrorism prosecutor released two suspects.

Earlier, on October 7, U.S. authorities reported the arrest of Nasir Ahmad Touhidi, a 27-year-old Afghan refugee, on charges of planning an attack during the U.S. presidential election.

The U.S. Department of Justice accused Touhidi of planning a terrorist attack in the name of ISIS, intending to shoot people and cause mass casualties on election day in November.

NBC News reported on October 10 that Touhidi had previously worked with the CIA in Afghanistan as a security guard.

The case involving Nasir Ahmad Touhidi and his brother has raised serious concerns about potential terrorist threats on both sides of the Atlantic. As investigations continue, cooperation between international law enforcement agencies highlights intelligence-sharing’s critical importance in preventing such attacks.

Amnesty International has stated that the United Nations Human Rights Council’s resolution on Afghanistan has failed to provide an adequate response to the escalating human rights crisis in the country.

The organization asserts that the Taliban continues to suppress the rights of the Afghan people.

In a statement released on Thursday, October 10, Amnesty International noted that while the UN Human Rights Council extended Richard Bennett’s mandate, it still did not establish an independent international accountability mechanism for the ongoing situation in Afghanistan.

Smriti Singh, Amnesty International’s regional director for South Asia, criticized the Human Rights Council for failing to provide adequate support for justice to the people of Afghanistan, who have placed their hopes in the international community.

Amnesty International warned that the shortcomings in this resolution leave brave activists, particularly women human rights defenders, journalists, and others who continue their work in the face of repression, in a precarious situation.

The organization emphasized the urgent need for UN member states to act swiftly to establish an independent international accountability mechanism. This would ensure that those responsible for human rights violations are held accountable.

Hillary Power from Human Rights Watch described the latest resolution of the UN Human Rights Council as another failure for the body. She noted that despite repeated requests from human rights groups, the Council has not created a mechanism for holding the Taliban accountable for human rights violations.

The ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan, particularly against women and girls, are exacerbating the dire humanitarian crisis in the country. With the Taliban’s strict regulations prohibiting women from participating in public life and education, the prospects for future generations are bleak.

These violations not only undermine the dignity and rights of Afghan women but also hinder the country’s overall development and stability.

As the international community grapples with the crisis, it is crucial to advocate for stronger mechanisms that ensure accountability and protection of human rights in Afghanistan.

Supporting local and international efforts to document abuses and demand justice can empower the voices of those affected and contribute to fostering a more inclusive and just society.

Karin Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, stated that Afghanistan’s future is bleak without the participation of girls. She emphasized that Afghan girls deserve learning, growth, work, and advancement opportunities.

On Friday, October 11, Decker wrote on the social media platform X to mark International Day of the Girl, reaffirming that the U.S. mission tirelessly supports the right to education for Afghan girls.

“The U.S. advocates tirelessly for Afghan girls who face barriers to education and basic freedoms because every Afghan girl deserves the chance to learn, grow, work, and thrive. The future of Afghanistan cannot be assured without their contributions,” Decker said.

October 11 is designated as International Day of the Girl. On this day, many international human rights organizations and women’s rights activists reiterated the importance of girls’ education and called for the removal of restrictions on Afghan women.

Rosa Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA, announced on International Day of the Girl that it has been 1,120 days since the Taliban banned education for girls. She highlighted that Afghan girls are suffering more each day and that Afghanistan is regressing instead of progressing.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issued a message on International Day of the Girl, stating that collective action is needed to support and remove barriers for Afghan girls. The organization emphasized the importance of investing in women’s movements and amplifying the voices of “Afghanistan’s courageous girls.”

The ongoing denial of educational opportunities for Afghan girls is a critical issue that demands urgent attention from the international community.

Supporting their right to education not only empowers these young women but also contributes to Afghanistan’s broader development and stability. Global leaders and organizations must work together to ensure that Afghan girls can realize their potential and shape a brighter future for their country.

U.S. Special Envoy for Afghanistan’s Women, Girls, and Human Rights, Rina Amiri, said on Friday that Afghans, especially women and girls, are facing a devastating mental health crisis due to the Taliban’s extremist policies.

“As we commemorate World Mental Health Day, I want to draw attention to the devastating mental health crisis faced by Afghans, especially women & girls, due to the Taliban’s alarming & extreme policies,” Amiri said.

“We must all be resolute in supporting them in the struggle for their rights,” she added.

Over the past three years, the Taliban has imposed widespread restrictions on the private and public lives of Afghan citizens, especially women.

Previously, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) reported that the Taliban’s enforcement of the “Amr bil Ma’roof” law has significantly increased mental health pressures on Afghan women.

The UN agency further stated that the restrictions under this law have left many Afghan women feeling hopeless, depressed, and angry.

The continued impact of the Taliban’s harsh policies is worsening the mental health situation in Afghanistan, particularly among women who bear the brunt of these oppressive restrictions.

Global support and action are critical to addressing the mental health crisis in Afghanistan, with a focus on protecting the rights and well-being of women and girls in Afghanistan.

On International Day of the Girl, Hamid Karzai stated that girls, like boys, play a vital role in the advancement of society, and their exclusion from social life and education causes irreparable harm. He urged the Taliban to reopen schools and universities for girls.

Karzai emphasized on Friday that “we must do everything we can to educate our children and for the good and well-being of our country.”

Karin Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan, stressed that Afghanistan’s future is bleak without girls’ participation in society.

On October 11, International Day of the Girl, Decker reaffirmed the U.S. mission’s commitment to supporting Afghan girls’ education.

Many international organizations reiterated the importance of girls’ education on October 11, calling for the removal of restrictions on Afghan women.

Rosa Otunbayeva of UNAMA highlighted that it has been 1,120 days since the Taliban banned education for girls, emphasizing their suffering.

The collective calls for action on International Day of the Girl underscore the urgent need to prioritize education and opportunities for Afghan girls, as their empowerment is essential for Afghanistan’s future development and stability.