RASC News Agency: Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, continued his official visit to Canada by engaging with Afghanistani journalists and media leaders. The meeting took place on the evening of Tuesday, October 22, at the “House of Freedom of Expression” in Toronto. Joining Bennett were David Sproule, Canada’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, and Noorjehan Mawani, former representative of the Aga Khan Foundation.
This gathering addressed the escalating challenges facing journalists and media organizations under Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Attendees voiced their concerns over the increasing repression of free speech and media freedom in the country, with journalists sharing their personal experiences and concerns with the UN Rapporteur. They highlighted the severe limitations and dangers facing Afghan media professionals who continue their work under Taliban suppression.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Bennett was honored by the House of Freedom of Expression for his unwavering dedication over the past three years to supporting Afghan journalists, advocating for human rights, and defending the freedom of expression. This recognition was a testament to Bennett’s efforts in standing by Afghanistan media workers during one of the darkest periods for press freedom in the country. Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan media and journalists have faced relentless crackdowns, with many being detained, physically assaulted, or imprisoned on fabricated charges. In a recent case, Taliban authorities arrested Mahdi Ansari, a local journalist in Kabul, further underscoring the dire conditions under which Afghanistani journalists operate.
The Taliban, known for their fundamentalist and extremist Islamist ideology, have consistently shown hostility toward pluralism, cultural diversity, and freedom of speech. They aim to create a homogenized nation defined by a singular ethnicity, ideology, gender, and religion, suppressing all forms of dissent and diversity. This systematic suppression of the media aligns with their broader goal of enforcing their narrow vision of a monolithic society.
