UNAMA says Taliban have increased pressure on Shia community and independent media
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in its quarterly report that the Taliban administration has increased pressure on the Shia community and independent media, a trend it said has further restricted religious freedom and media activity in the country.
According to the report, the Taliban administration in September arrested several employees of Khatam al-Nabiyyin University and the Khatam al-Anbia Cultural Complex, and revoked the operating licence of Khatam al-Nabiyyin University in Kabul and Ghazni. Seven service and religious centres linked to the Shia community, including a clinic, two educational centres, a sports club, two religious schools and a mosque, were also closed.
UNAMA added that the activities of Radio Eslah, the Lapiz media centre, Rah-e-Farda TV and Tamadon TV have also been suspended. The mission says journalists in Afghanistan continue to face arbitrary arrests, equipment confiscation and security threats.
Overall, UNAMA’s report points to intensified restrictions on the Shia and Hazara communities, religious freedom and independent media in Afghanistan.
