Amnesty International Calls For Immediate Release of Zholia Parsi, Other Afghan Activists

Amnesty International expressed deep concerns over the arbitrary detention of Zholia Parsi, women’s rights activist, and asked for the immediate release of her and other activists from the Taliban prison.

The rights organisation urged the Taliban to cease arbitrary and illegal detention of activists, journalists and critics of the group.

In a statement published on Friday, Amnesty International wrote that due to the gross violation of human rights by the Taliban, which is considered a crime under international law, including crimes against humanity and against women, the organisation called for establishment of an independent international accountability mechanism regarding human rights violators.

On Wednesday, September 27, the Taliban arrested Zholia Parsi, leader of the Spontaneous Movement of Protesting Women, along with her son in Kabul.

In the last two weeks, this is the second time that the Taliban has arrested a woman protester.

On September 19, the Taliban arrested Neda Parwani, another member of the movement, along with her husband and child.

The Taliban has not yet commented on the arrest of these people.

In the last two years, the Taliban has always arrested activists, journalists and university professors who oppose the group's thinking and policies.

Currently, Mortaza Behboudi, a journalist; Rasoul Parsi, a university professor, and Matiullah Wesa, an activist for girls' education, are also in prison under the Taliban.

A number of human rights organisations have demanded the release of these Afghan human rights activists.