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Violence against journalists increases in Afghanistan: report
Violence against journalists has increased slightly in Afghanistan in the past year, and almost 6,000 media workers have lost their jobs in this time, according to a report released on Wednesday.
As many 117 cases of violence against journalists and media workers were registered in Afghanistan within one year since March 2021, according to the joint report by Afghanistan Journalists Center and Afghan Independent Journalists Association.
Four journalists were killed during the period, the report said.
In the preceding year period, Afghan Journalists Center had registered 11 deaths and 103 other cases of violence against media workers in the country.
Farhad Behroz, deputy head of Afghan Independent Journalists Association, said that 5,928 people who were working in the media sector had lost their jobs during the past year.
“We share with the international community what creates hurdle for free speech. This year was not a good year for journalists,” Behroz said.
Journalists meanwhile urged the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to facilitate access to information.
“IEA should serve all equally and it should facilitate making an investigative report,” said Sadaqat Ghorzang, a journalist.
Hadya Ziayee, another journalist, said: “Female journalists are facing lots of problems in journalism. But we are hopeful of better days to come.”
IEA, however, reiterated its commitment to supporting journalists in Afghanistan and helping to end violence against them.
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the IEA, recently said that the government would seek to attract foreign aid for media outlets in Afghanistan.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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