Latest News
Amnesty International slams govt for not protecting journalists
The Afghan authorities must take urgent steps to provide journalists with greater protection, said Amnesty International on Monday – World Press Freedom Day.
This comes after a year of spiralling threats, intimidation, harassment, and violent attacks against the country’s media workers.
At least 11 journalists were killed in 2020 in targeted attacks in Afghanistan, with four more reportedly killed this year.
Amnesty International said in a statement “nearly all the killings, invariably carried out by unidentified gunmen, have gone uninvestigated. Dozens of others have been injured, while journalists routinely receive threats, intimidation and harassment because of their work.
“Faced with this dire situation and with multiple journalist ‘hit lists’ in open circulation, many journalists are fleeing the country.
“The Joint Committee on the Protection of Journalists, a body established by the Afghan government in 2016 to address the security risks faced by media workers, has made limited efforts to stem the violence.
“This lack of safety and security threatens not only lives, but the future of a free and independent media in Afghanistan,” read the statement.
According to Samira Hamidi, South Asia Campaigner at Amnesty International: “For simply doing their job, Afghanistan’s journalists put themselves at grave risk every single day.
The violent cycle of killings, harassment and intimidation is escalating, but this has not been matched by a robust counter-response from the authorities. The level of protection afforded to journalists has been woefully inadequate.”
“This lack of safety and security threatens not only lives, but the future of a free and independent media in Afghanistan. The Joint Committee on the Protection of Journalists must start taking effective action, starting by showing that attacks against journalists cannot and should not happen with impunity.
“The Joint Committee should launch thorough, effective and transparent investigations into killings and ensure that suspected perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trials,” she said.
The ministry of commerce and industry said on Wednesday a meeting was held with Chinese and American investors, where the process of investing in Afghanistan was explained to them.
“General security is provided in Afghanistan and investors can invest in this country with ease,” said Sibghatullah Akhundzada, head of investment at the ministry.
The ministry said a presentation was delivered by the ministry’s department of investment on investing in the country, which detailed opportunities available.
The ministry said questions were asked by the Chinese and American investors, who showed an interest in investing in the energy, mining and construction sectors.
A family in Kabul claims that a relative of theirs has been held prisoner in Guantanamo Bay for 17 years.
Members of the family say his name is Mohammad Rahim.
They have called on the Islamic Emirate to enter into negotiations with America for the release of Rahim.
Safura Bibi, the mother of Rahim, claims her son was arrested seventeen years ago in the city of Lahore in Pakistan and transferred to Guantanamo.
According to Rahim’s mother he was selling honey at the time and was taking religious classes when arrested.
This mother blames Pakistan for her son’s arrest.
She says she is in contact with her son through the Red Cross and sometimes gets letters from him.
Other members of the family claim Rahim worked in the anti-narcotics department during the first round of the Islamic Emirate government and is currently the last Afghan prisoner in Guantanamo Bay.
The family want the US to release him.
The family also ask the Islamic Emirate to work to secure his release.
The Islamic Emirate says it is following up on the issue and has raised this in meetings they have had with the Americans.
Mohammad Dawood; the younger son of Mohammad Rahim, who was two years old at the time of his father’s arrest says he hopes to see his father again.
Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev on Tuesday called on Central Asian nations to strengthen cooperation and coordination with regards to Afghanistan.
Speaking at the 13th Annual Meeting of Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Central Asian states, Kulubaev said that the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan plays an important role in ensuring regional security and prosperity.
He expressed support for the activities of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and thanked the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva for her work within the framework of the UNAMA mandate, Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Roza Otunbayeva also attended the two-day meeting in Bishkek which ended on Tuesday.
Four Palestinians including 8-year-old killed by Israeli forces in West Bank
Tahawol: Karzai’s criticism of world politics discussed
Saar: foreign ministry stance toward political oppositions discussed
Ministry of commerce meets with Chinese and American investors
Iranian trade delegation visits Balkh for talks with Afghan businessmen
Afghanistan’s Bayat Power the Proud Winner of Asian Power Award 2023
Afghan athlete wins gold at World Bodybuilding Championships
Messi wins record eighth Ballon d’Or for best player in the world
Militants attack air force base in central Pakistan, says military
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan railway officials held tripartite meeting
Tahawol: Karzai’s criticism of world politics discussed
Saar: foreign ministry stance toward political oppositions discussed
Tahawol: Iran’s call for security & stability in Afghanistan discussed
Saar: Importance of environmental & air protection discussed
Tahawol: Formation of regional contact group on Afghanistan discussed
-
Latest News3 days agoIranian and Indian officials discuss formation of regional contact group on Afghanistan
-
World5 days agoIsrael reviews list of hostages set to be freed by Hamas on Saturday
-
World4 days agoHamas frees more Israelis and Thais in temporary truce
-
Climate Change5 days agoIEA should be included in climate talks: International Crisis Group
-
Latest News5 days agoAny type of violence against women is prohibited: Mujahid
-
Science & Technology5 days agoWorld’s largest iceberg breaks free, heads toward Southern Ocean
-
World2 days agoMore Israeli hostages expected to be freed after Gaza truce extended
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghan refugees forced to return from Pakistan at worst possible time: WFP