Two Civil Activists Released in Herat After Detention for Supporting Girls’ Education
The Taliban administration in Herat released two civil activists, Qadus Khatibi and Fayyaz Ghori, on Sunday morning after detaining them the previous day for posting messages supporting the reopening of girls’ schools. Local sources report that the Taliban intelligence agency arrested the two activists early Saturday morning. The reason for their detention was the publication of messages on social media advocating for girls’ right to education.
Qadus Khatibi, a university professor and resident of Herat, had posted a video on his Facebook page on Friday, urging the Taliban administration to reopen schools and universities for Afghan girls. In his message, he emphasized the importance of women’s education for the country’s future.
Fayyaz Ghori also wrote on his Facebook page: “Hoping for the day when the gates of knowledge will be opened to the girls of this land.” This short statement was considered a protest act by intelligence officials.
The Taliban administration has kept girls’ schools above grade six closed for nearly five years and imposed broad restrictions on women’s education and employment. The arrest of civil activists for supporting girls’ education has drawn critical reactions from citizens and human rights organizations, raising concerns about shrinking freedom of expression in the country.
In the past two years, at least five others have been arrested by the Taliban for activities related to girls’ education and held in prison for weeks; critics see this as an attempt to silence voices advocating for education rights.
