Original Source: amu.tv
In a striking condemnation, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, voiced concerns over the Taliban’s stringent media restrictions, asserting they breach international human rights treaties that Afghanistan is bound by. A comprehensive report from the U.N. Human Rights Office and UNAMA unveiled a disheartening erosion of media freedoms and escalating human rights abuses since the Taliban’s resurgence on August 15, 2021. Censorship thrives, particularly suffocating the voices of women in journalism, creating a grim reality for media workers struggling to navigate these oppressive conditions.
Türk underscored the need for the Taliban to uphold Afghanistan’s commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which champions freedom of expression and equality devoid of discrimination. He stressed the critical importance of safeguarding journalists and media personnel, especially women, allowing them to fulfill their essential roles without fear.
At a press briefing, Farhan Haq, the U.N. Deputy Spokesperson, reiterated these alarming findings, labeling the environment for journalists in Afghanistan as increasingly perilous. The report starkly highlighted that media professionals are ensnared in an atmosphere thick with censorship and debilitating barriers, primarily targeting women in the industry.
Amidst these dire reports, the Taliban swiftly rejected the findings. Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid dismissed allegations of media suppression, insisting that media operations are subject to established frameworks and laws in Afghanistan. Yet, the grim reality discloses a reality where the Taliban’s Ministry for Promotion of Virtue has been empowered to meddle with media operations and implement draconian policies restraining journalists.
This perilous landscape has left numerous media outlets gasping for survival, with many forced to shutter their doors due to overwhelming hurdles, including safety fears and dwindling funds. Of particular concern is the plight of women journalists, who not only wrestle with professional limitations but also grapple with pervasive societal discrimination.
The narrative surrounding media freedom in Afghanistan has shifted dramatically since the Taliban regained control in August 2021. This context is critical as international human rights bodies monitor Afghanistan’s compliance with treaties that protect freedom of expression and the press. The latest U.N. report paints a bleak picture of escalating censorship and discrimination against female journalists, illustrating the precarious state of human rights in the country post-Taliban takeover.
The UN’s urgent calls for the Taliban to honor human rights obligations highlight the vital role a free press plays in democracy and accountability. The documented decline in media freedoms since the Taliban’s takeover reveals a stark reality where journalists, especially women, face unprecedented restrictions. As the international community watches, the need for clarity and transparency in Afghanistan’s media landscape remains critical to foster an environment of safety and empowerment.
