Afghan Journalists Detained and Forcibly Deported from Pakistan, Media Support Group Warns
The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) has reported that at least three Afghan journalists have been detained in Pakistan over the past two weeks, and one female journalist was forcibly deported back to Afghanistan along with her family. The organization described the current situation as a serious threat to Afghanistan’s media community.
According to a statement released on Thursday, April 23, two other journalists remain in custody by Pakistani police. AMSO did not provide further details about the identities of those detained but emphasized that the ongoing arrests and deportations are deeply concerning.
The organization has called on Pakistan’s governmental and security institutions to cease the detention and harassment of journalists in accordance with national laws and international obligations. The statement read, “Journalists are not criminals, but conveyors of truth,” and insisted that their professional immunity must be respected.
AMSO warned that the forced deportation of journalists and their families could expose them to serious security risks inside Afghanistan, especially amid the expanded restrictions on media activities since the Taliban’s return to power, during which many journalists have faced threats, arrests, and pressure.
The organization also urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other human rights groups to take concrete actions to protect Afghan journalists and to pressure Pakistan to guarantee their legal rights and safety.
