360 Media Activists Send Open Letter to UN Calling for Release of Detained Journalists in Afghanistan

An open letter signed by 360 media activists, journalists and human rights defenders has been sent to United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling for the immediate and unconditional release of journalists detained in Afghanistan.

The letter was dispatched via the Afghan Media Support Organization. It draws attention to the cases of several detained journalists including Shakib Ahmad Nazari, Bashir Hatef and Hamid Farhadi, who were arrested in connection with their professional reporting activities.

The document describes the situation of these individuals as alarming. The Afghan Media Support Organization stated that the physical and mental health of some of the imprisoned journalists is deteriorating, adding that those responsible for the detentions bear responsibility for the journalists' health and security.

Signatories said the arrests violate freedom of expression and run counter to international human rights standards. They added that the detentions have created an atmosphere of fear and restricted the flow of information.

The letter urges the Taliban to release all detained journalists without conditions. It also calls on the United Nations, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and other international organizations to intensify diplomatic pressure to secure the journalists' release and ensure their protection.