UNAMA calls for end to ‘arbitrary arrests’ of education advocates in Afghanistan

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)) has expressed concern over the continued arbitrary arrests of girls’ education advocates in Afghanistan, calling for the immediate release of those detained.

UNAMA expressed concern on Wednesday about the continued detention of girls’ education advocates Ahmad Fahim Azimi and Sadiqullah Afghan, along with women’s rights activist Munizha Sediqi, who have been in custody since October.

The agency emphasized the importance of upholding rights to family, legal representation, care, and a fair trial.

The Islamic Emirate however did not consider these arrests to be arbitrary and said that the circles that seek to disrupt the order of the society are arrested.

In an interview with state-owned national television, RTA, IEA’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that no one has been arbitrarily arrested by the security forces in the country and will not be arrested.

Mujahid stressed that if any measures are taken for this purpose, they are legal and based on Islamic Sharia.

Earlier, UNAMA had also expressed concern about this issue.

Some women’s rights activists have also added that the most important right that must be respected is that girls and women should be allowed to get an education.

Meanwhile, the IEA has repeatedly emphasized that the rights of women in the country are secured based on Islamic Sharia, but the acting government’s solution regarding women’s education has not been clarified yet.