Latest News
UN calls on Afghanistan to prevent further killings of human rights defenders
Afghanistan must take early decisive action to prevent killings of human rights defenders, UN human rights experts said today, calling attention to a recent spate of such deaths.
“The killing of one human rights defender is a tragedy for society; the death of nine defenders since the beginning of this year shows the emergence of a truly alarming trend,” said Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. “Already by August, Afghanistan has far exceeded last year’s figures.”
“Impunity allows the perpetuation of such crimes and implies a lack of recognition for human rights defenders’ role in society,” the experts said, noting that investigations in many cases have not yet yielded any results. “There needs to be full accountability for such egregious violations of human rights.”
Asmatullah Salaam, who worked on promoting the right to education in the province of Ghazni, was abducted and killed as he made his way to celebrate Eid with his family on 1 August. His death comes not long after Fatimah Natasha Khalil and Ahmad Jawed Folad were killed on their way to work at the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission on 27 June. Human rights defender Ibrahim Ebrat was shot dead in Zabul in May.
“In January the Government of Afghanistan voiced support for the idea of creating a national protection mechanism for human rights defenders, but no progress has been reported and clearly defenders are still no better protected than they were before,” said the experts. “We urge the government to urgently put in place, as promised, an effective national protection mechanism.”
It is the responsibility of every government to protect human rights defenders against armed groups, they added.
“Afghanistan must do better at detecting and acting on early warning signs, such as threats and intimidation, protecting others who find themselves at risk, and thoroughly investigating violence, including killings, when they happen,” they said. “We cannot allow these disturbing events to continue.”
The experts said they are talking with Afghanistan authorities, and pledged to closely monitor the situation.
Football fans across Afghanistan can watch Tottenham Hotspur take on Charlton Athletic live on Ariana Television Network (ATN) tonight, Wednesday, August 26, with coverage beginning at 23:15 Kabul time.
The two London clubs meet in the second round of the EFL Cup, with Tottenham looking to progress while Charlton will aim to produce an upset against their Premier League opponents.
Tottenham enter the match as favourites on paper, with their greater top-flight experience expected to make them the stronger side. However, cup football can produce surprises, and Charlton will be looking to take advantage of any opportunity at their disposal.
The match provides Tottenham with another chance to build momentum early in the season, while Charlton will see the tie as an opportunity to test themselves against one of England’s biggest clubs.
The EFL Cup remains an important route to silverware for clubs across the English football pyramid, with teams aiming to advance through each round toward the final at Wembley.
Afghanistan fans can watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Charlton Athletic live tonight on Ariana Television, from 23:15 Kabul time.
The United Nations has warned that around one million children in Afghanistan are suffering from life-threatening severe acute malnutrition and could die without urgent treatment.
UNICEF said on Tuesday that about 3.7 million children across Afghanistan are suffering from wasting, a condition caused by acute malnutrition.
Tajudeen Oyewale, UNICEF’s representative in Afghanistan, said around one million of these children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, which is considered the most dangerous form of acute hunger.
“If there is no treatment and we are not able to act fast, that one million number are at risk of dying,” Oyewale said during a media briefing in Geneva, speaking from Kabul.
He said the nutrition crisis is worsening across the country, with more than 500,000 children requiring hospital care so far this year for moderate and severe wasting.
According to UNICEF, nearly 40 percent of children admitted to hospitals with severe wasting and medical complications are babies younger than six months. Children under the age of two account for more than 80 percent of severe acute malnutrition cases.
Oyewale said malnutrition is playing a major role in the increasing number of deaths among very young children in Afghanistan.
The situation has also placed growing pressure on hospitals. In July last year, around 6,000 severe malnutrition cases were recorded, while the number rose by about one-third to more than 8,000 cases by July this year.
“In parts of southern Afghanistan, some hospitals are now seeing three or four severely malnourished children for every available bed,” Oyewale said.
Kabul Municipality says the districts of Bagrami and Chahar Asyab will be incorporated into Kabul city as part of a broader plan to expand and develop the capital.
Nematullah Barakzai, a Kabul Municipality official, told the BBC that Kabul has experienced significant growth in recent years, both through the expansion of the city’s boundaries and the construction of high-rise buildings.
“Kabul is not only growing vertically, but it has also seen considerable horizontal expansion, which can be observed on Google Maps,” Barakzai said. “Kabul currently has 22 municipal districts, and Bagrami and Chahar Asyab are also expected to be incorporated into the city.”
The municipality has not yet announced a specific timeline for implementing the plan.
Bagrami is located about 15 kilometers from central Kabul, while Chahar Asyab lies south of the capital and serves as one of the main routes connecting Kabul with Afghanistan’s southern provinces.
Tottenham face Charlton as ATN brings live EFL Cup action to Afghan fans
Trump administration issues pause on visa appointments for applicants worldwide
UNICEF warns one million Afghan children at risk of death from malnutrition
US spy chief visits Russia for meetings, media reports
Bagrami, Chahar Asyab set to become part of Kabul city
Pakistan’s governance system has ‘collapsed’: Mohsin Naqvi
Afghanistan exports first stone shipment to US in $100,000 trade milestone
AFC confirms clubs for 2026/27 competitions; draw set for August 18
Only two days to go before Afghanistan and Ireland begin ODI series
Four mediators struggle to secure lasting Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire
Tahawol: Aisha Wahab’s emphasis on US ties with IEA
Saar: Guterres’s concern regarding global conflicts discussed
Saar: Afghanistan’s uncertain future in SCO
Tahawol: IEA seeking Afghanistan seat at UN
Saar: U.S. sanctions against Iran
-
Latest News3 days agoFour mediators struggle to secure lasting Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire
-
Latest News4 days agoSyria and Saudi Arabia condemn Kabul bombing, express solidarity with Afghanistan
-
Latest News4 days agoUS judge strikes down Trump visa suspension for 75 countries, including Afghanistan
-
Business2 days agoAfghanistan’s trade diversification challenges Pakistan
-
Sport4 days agoAfghanistan-India T20I series could see major schedule change
-
Latest News4 days agoAchakzai urges Pakistan to end hostility towards Afghanistan
-
Latest News3 days agoAfghanEvac warns US court ruling does not reopen door for Afghans
-
Sport5 days agoAbaseen Defenders clinch Khan Hospital Kabul Premier League Season 4 title