RASC News Agency: The Civil Society and Journalists’ Advocacy Organization has strongly condemned the Taliban’s actions and policies, accusing the group of systematically violating the fundamental rights of millions, including women, journalists, civil activists, and religious minorities. Expressing profound concern over the deteriorating human rights landscape in Afghanistan, the organization has called upon international human rights bodies to impose immediate sanctions on the Taliban and to take urgent steps to secure the release of Mahdi Ansari, a detained Afghanistani journalist.
The organization underscored the Taliban’s sweeping violations of human rights, particularly the oppressive restrictions imposed on women and girls. These include the complete closure of girls’ schools beyond the sixth grade and bans on women’s access to higher education, sports facilities, and training centers. Additionally, the Taliban’s dismissal of women from roles in both public and private sectors, coupled with their prohibition from participating in domestic and international NGOs, were cited as stark examples of gender-based oppression.
The statement further denounced the Taliban’s imposition of male accompaniment (Mahram) requirements for women traveling and their restrictions on women’s access to public spaces, including parks, gyms, and public baths, labeling these measures as gross violations of women’s rights. The advocacy organization also condemned the Taliban’s relentless crackdown on independent media. This includes the closure of media outlets, the arbitrary detention, torture, and intimidation of journalists and human rights defenders, the creation of a pervasive climate of fear, widespread censorship, and the deprivation of Afghanistani society from essential access to information.
The organization issued an urgent appeal to international human rights institutions for immediate intervention to secure the release of Mahdi Ansari and other civil and human rights activists. The statement declared:
“We implore international human rights organizations to act decisively given the dire circumstances. It is imperative to amplify the voices of Afghanistan’s oppressed population and draw global attention to the Taliban’s systemic crimes and brutal repression. Now, more than ever, we rely on your collaboration and support.”
This appeal comes after several journalist advocacy groups had previously demanded the release of Mahdi Ansari. Ansari, a prominent Afghanistani journalist, has been sentenced to imprisonment by the Taliban.
