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Afghanistan Orders Ban on Telegram, WhatsApp

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(Last Updated On: October 24, 2022)

Afghanistan Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (ATRA) has ordered telecom companies to block Telegram and WhatsApp applications, reasoning security concerns.

According to two official letters went viral, ATRA asked telecom companies to shut the applications for 20 days starting 01 Nov.

In addition, it instructs the companies to block a number of Facebook and Twitter accounts as well.

“Based on the sensitivity of the issue, effective immediately all telecom companies are requested to block all websites and individuals facebook and twitter accounts as provided in the list,” one of the letters reads.

Reports suggest that the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, has asked the ministry of telecommunication to do so due to security concerns.

“This is an illegal act. The government has no right to violate individuals privacy or block their personnel accounts,” civil rights defender Sediqullah Tawhidi told Ariana News.

Meanwhile, the decision was widely criticized by social media users.

One wrote: “President Ashraf Ghani! don’t ban apps, fire people who can’t do their jobs. By hiding failures, you wouldn’t be able to achieve anything.”

Another composed: “Censorship is against what freedom we stood for in Afghanistan post 2001. Gains shouldn’t go to waste.”

This comes as the presidential palace said the government is committed for the freedom of expression and has no agenda for censorship.

By Hesamuddin Hesam

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OIC summit urges IEA to respect girls’ right to education

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(Last Updated On: May 6, 2024)

The 15th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Gambia on Sunday called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to respect Afghan girls and women’s right to education and work.

In a declaration, OIC described the right to education and work as the fundamental rights of Afghan girls and women, and called for more communication with the IEA authorities on these issues.

Additionally, the participants emphasized the need for more efforts to address the challenges related to ethnic groups, drugs, terrorism, and social issues to ensure inclusive governance and sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“We also emphasize the need to make more efforts to address the challenges associated with ethnic groups, terrorism, drugs and social aspects for inclusive governance to achieve sustainable stability,” the declaration said.

Delegations from the 57 OIC member states attended the conference, organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation under the theme “Enhancing unity and solidarity through dialogue for sustainable development.”.

The summit was also attended by an IEA delegation.

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UNHRC approves national human rights report on Afghanistan

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(Last Updated On: May 6, 2024)

The Permanent Representative of Afghanistan in Geneva Nasir Ahmad Andisha says the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has approved the national human rights report on Afghanistan.

Ahmad Andisha said at the Geneva meeting that after comprehensive reviews, 243 recommendations from 70 countries show the worsening of the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

In the review of the human rights situation in Afghanistan in the fourth period, 243 opinions were received from 70 countries, who expressed concern about the worsening human rights situation and suggested that an impartial and independent investigation be conducted on human rights violations in Afghanistan.

However, the Islamic Emirate has always considered human rights as an internal issue and emphasized that human rights, especially women’s rights, are more secure in the country than ever before.

“The Islamic and Sharia rights of all Afghan citizens are guaranteed. The Islamic Emirate is committed to ensuring the rights of its citizens,” said Hamdullah Fitrat, IEA’s deputy spokesman.

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IEA’s deputy PM invited to Russia to participate in an international meeting

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(Last Updated On: May 5, 2024)

Russian ambassador in Kabul, Dmitry Zhirnov, on Sunday invited the political deputy prime minister Mawlawi Abdul Kabir to participate in an international meeting that is expected to be held in Kazan city, Tatarstan.

According to a statement issued by the deputy PM’s office, in his meeting with the Russian ambassador, Kabir thanked him for the invitation to this meeting and said that relations between Russia and Afghanistan are important and friendly and Russian businessmen should invest in Afghanistan.

He added that relations between Moscow and Kabul benefit both sides and can help development and stability in the region.

According to the statement, the Russian envoy said that his country is ready to cooperate with Afghanistan in various fields and wants to expand bilateral relations.

He added that cooperation and increased interaction between the Islamic Emirate and Russia can contribute to stability and economic development in the region.

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