UN Calls for Immediate Release of Detained Journalists in Afghanistan
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has urged the Taliban administration to immediately and unconditionally release all detained journalists on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day. He emphasized that the authorities must create an environment where media workers can continue their professional activities without fear of arrest, threats, or harassment, while preserving the right to freedom of expression.
On Sunday, 13th of Sowr, Bennett issued a statement warning that since the Taliban’s return to power, media freedom has sharply and worryingly declined. Independent reporting has been severely restricted, with journalists operating in a hostile and repressive atmosphere where any critical voices are harshly met.
He added that citizens who speak with the media are not safe from threats, surveillance, or even detention, a situation that undermines the free flow of information and limits public access to awareness. Bennett stressed that under current conditions, even routine reporting can be dangerous for journalists, especially when covering issues related to the rights of women and girls.
The UN Special Rapporteur also pointed out the increasingly difficult situation for female journalists, who face not only general pressures but also systemic discrimination, movement restrictions, and mandatory dress codes. He stressed that immediate support and job security for journalists, particularly women, is an urgent necessity.
Citing data from the Afghanistan Journalists Center, Bennett stated that at least 32 cases of journalist arrests were recorded in 2025 alone, indicating mounting pressure on the media. He described this situation as part of a broader trend of shrinking civil space in the country.
According to Bennett, censorship of books and publications, limited access to information, and punishment of journalists even for social media activity are signs of increasing suppression of freedom of expression in Afghanistan—a trend he holds the Taliban administration directly responsible for.
