RASC News Agency: Rosa Otunbayeva, the head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), has expressed grave concern over the lack of access to “legal services” for vulnerable prisoners in Afghanistan, particularly women. In her meeting with Mohammad Yousuf Mastry, the head of the Taliban’s prison administration, she highlighted the mounting challenges posed by the increasing number of incarcerations under the Taliban and the imposition of long-term sentences by their judiciary, which has further strained the delivery of “criminal justice” and prison facilities in the country.
According to the official statement, the Taliban informed Ms. Otunbayeva that Pul-e-Charkhi prison currently holds 5,000 inmates, with the number continuing to rise daily. In response, Ms. Otunbayeva emphasized the urgent need for enhanced efforts to uphold prisoners’ rights within the judicial framework, including the provision of legal assistance, swift trials, and alternatives to detention. “I hope that through broader engagement in Afghanistan, we can achieve significant progress in addressing these issues,” Ms. Otunbayeva stated, adding, “We must also intensify efforts to tackle the root causes of over-incarceration.”
During the meeting, the head of the Taliban’s prison administration requested further assistance from the United Nations, particularly in areas such as healthcare, nutrition, education, and vocational training, aiming to improve inmates’ prospects for reintegration into society.
However, Ms. Otunbayeva cautioned that despite the glaring humanitarian needs, international donor support for Afghanistan is dwindling, largely due to the Taliban’s persistent restrictions on women and the enactment of the controversial Law of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
