The Kabul Tribune (KT) — The U.N. special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said he is “extremely concerned” about the reported detention of two Afghan women, including a journalist, by the Taliban and called for their immediate release.
In a post on X, Bennett said he was alarmed by the continued
detention of Nazera Rashidi in the northeastern province of Kunduz and Khadija
Ahmadazada in the western province of Herat, urging authorities to ensure their
safety and free them without delay.
Earlier, the family of Rashidi said she was being pressured
to make a forced confession and could face security-related accusations.
In a letter shared with media outlets, Hajera Rashidi,
Nazera Rashidi’s sister, said the journalist had been held for six days without
formal charges and was at risk of coerced confessions, character defamation and
the fabrication of a security case against her.
The letter said Rashidi, a local journalist and the sole
caregiver for her two young children, was being targeted through what the
family described as coordinated efforts by Taliban-controlled media outlets and
affiliated institutions.
Taliban authorities have not publicly commented on the
detentions.
