Afghan Journalists Face Grave Danger if Deported, Media Watchdog Warns
The media support organization ‘NAI – Supporting Open Media in Afghanistan’, now operating in exile, has warned that Pakistan’s deportation of Afghan journalists is effectively sending them to their deaths. NAI has called on Pakistani authorities to immediately halt the detention and expulsion of Afghan journalists, media personnel, and other vulnerable individuals.
In a statement, NAI condemned the actions as violations of internationally accepted human rights principles and contrary to Pakistan’s global commitments. The organization emphasized that countries adhering to international human rights conventions are obligated not to return vulnerable individuals to regions where their lives are at risk.
In the latest incident, Pakistani police detained Afghan journalist Fatima Hamnawa along with her two young children. NAI has urged the Pakistani government to release her immediately and facilitate the extension of her visa.
The organization also reminded that the Pakistani government had previously pledged not to detain or deport journalists, human rights activists, and other at-risk persons from Afghanistan. NAI has called on Islamabad to uphold its commitments and not return Afghan journalists to the Taliban-ruled country, where harsh crackdowns on press freedom and freedom of expression have placed media workers in grave danger.
Reports also indicate that a number of Afghan journalists in Iran are facing potential forced repatriation to Afghanistan. This has heightened concerns over the safety and future of media professionals who fled the country following the Taliban’s takeover.
