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Parties Involved in Afghan Peace Should Uphold Freedom of Speech: Danish
As the U.S. negotiations with the Taliban make progress to reach into a political settlement in Afghanistan, Second Vice President Mohammad Sarwar Danish says the parties involved in the peace talks should ensure that freedom of speech is upheld and past years’ achievements are protected.
“We believe that freedom of speech is very important for the people of Afghanistan,” Danish said adding that parties involved in peace negotiations should ensure that freedom of speech and a free press are upheld as enshrined by the constitution.
“With this, we can save our 18 years achievements,” Danish said, who is also the Chairperson of ‘The Joint Committee for the Safety and Security of Journalists” a body working to combat impunity.
The Second Vice President made the remarks at a ceremony held on Monday in Kabul to mark Afghan National Journalists Day.
The event was organized by the Afghanistan Journalist Centre to highlight the critical role that the media plays in Afghanistan. More than a hundred journalists, senior government officials, civil society and the international community representatives attended.
Journalists and media organizations have played a crucial role in changing Afghan society, said UN envoy Tadamichi Yamamoto.
“The work of journalists is critical to promoting the fundamental values of society, including political rights, human rights, and economic and social rights. When we look at the gains of the past 17 years, we realise how much media have contributed,” he said as he acknowledged the difficulties faced by Afghan media.
“Attacks against journalists and media workers are not only criminal acts against unarmed civilians, but they also sap the circulation of free information,” stated Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists and the media, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. 2018 was by far one of the deadliest and most violent years for Afghan press. At least 14 journalists and other media workers were killed, including nine in a single attack in Kabul on 30 April according to the Afghan Journalist Safety Committee (AJSC).
During the event today, Shapoor Farahman, a reporter with Ariana News was among top 10 journalists who received the 2019 Afghanistan Journalist of the Year award.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, Afghanistan’s Minister of Interior Affairs, met on Tuesday with Zamir Kabulov, Russia’s special representative to Kabul.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the two sides discussed enhancing cooperation between Afghanistan and Russia, along with security, economic, and political issues.
They also exchanged views on positive engagement and regional stability.
The Pakistani military regime has carried out rocket attacks in Khas Kunar district of Kunar province, with rockets hitting civilian homes.
Security officials in Kunar said on Tuesday evening the attacks have continued intermittently since early morning, but so far no information has been provided by authorities regarding casualties.
The Pakistani military regime has also carried out rocket attacks on some areas of Sarkano district in Kunar. Early reports indicate there have been no casualties in these strikes.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met on Tuesday with Russia’s special envoy to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov in Kabul, where the two sides discussed expanding political ties and deepening economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both officials emphasized the importance of further strengthening bilateral engagement and broadening cooperation across multiple sectors.
Muttaqi welcomed what he described as the positive development of relations between Afghanistan and Russia, and called for increased economic collaboration, the reactivation of the Joint Economic Commission, and the creation of a regular mechanism for political consultations.
The discussions also covered regional developments, with both sides stressing the importance of peace, stability and security. They exchanged views on enhancing relations with neighboring countries and highlighted the need for joint efforts to support constructive regional engagement.
Kabulov praised the current trajectory of ties between Kabul and Moscow and said Russia is prepared to expand practical cooperation with Afghanistan, particularly in the fields of trade, energy and transit.
He added that Moscow is interested in strengthening bilateral relations through joint economic projects, investment initiatives and infrastructure cooperation, while also promoting regional connectivity and long-term stability.
The meeting comes amid growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries as both sides seek to expand economic opportunities and strengthen regional partnerships.
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