Fewer Than 100 Female Journalists Still Working In Afghanistan

At an emergency session of the UN Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet stated, “A fundamental red line will be the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls, and respect for their rights to liberty, freedom of movement, education, self-expression and employment, guided by international human rights norms.”

Formerly a 2-term President of Chile, she told the meeting she had received credible information about “summary executions” of civilians and of surrendering Afghan forces. “Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and religious minorities are also at risk of violence and repression, given previous patterns of serious violations under Taliban rule and reports of killings and targeted attacks in recent months,” she said.

Some delegates were urging a fact-finding mission with UN workers deployed to investigate be initiated. Bachelet is to report back to the fall session of the Council with further details of violations by the Taliban and is to deliver a written report in March 2022.

Following these developments, Shipan Kumer Basu, who heads the World Hindu Struggle Committee, condemned how the Taliban has persecuted female journalists. 

He stressed that America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan was a major mistake and that it has strained America’s relationship with some of its allies including the United Kingdom:

“Meanwhile, the Taliban continues its brutal activities like using water cannons to prevent Afghans from entering the airport.  Natives are being trapped in a situation, where they lack food, money, work, security, and other basic human rights.  The entire nation is suffering as essential items like wheat, oil, petrol, etc. have gone up by 15-25% over the last month.”  He called upon the international community to act and help Afghan female journalists.