ICC Probes Afghanistan's Human Rights, Focussing on Women's Plight, Reports UN Envoy

These detentions have been characterised as "arbitrary and prolonged" by the United Nations.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported that the Taliban have been holding four women's rights activists in Kabul since September. In response, UNAMA has called on the Taliban to ensure that these women receive proper health care, are allowed family visits, and have access to legal representation.

UNAMA has also stressed the importance of protecting freedom of opinion and expression in accordance with the Taliban's international human rights commitments.

Recent reports from Afghanistan International confirm that Julia Parsi, a prominent figure among Afghan women staging protests in Kabul, was moved to a hospital from a Taliban detention facility. Human rights advocates have reported that Parsi's transfer was necessitated by a significant decline in her physical and mental health, a deterioration attributed to the harsh conditions and alleged torture within the Taliban's prison.

Roya Mahboob, the founder of the Afghan Robotics Girls Team, confirmed Azimi's arrest and disclosed that he and another colleague were detained by the Taliban on accusations of facilitating the evacuation of the Afghan Robotics Girls Team and organising protests within Afghanistan.

Mahboob revealed that Azimi and his colleague have been in Taliban detention since 17 October. Sources informed Afghanistan International that Azimi was apprehended in the Karte Chahar area in Kabul's third district.

Mahboob, also a co-founder of the Digital Citizen Fund which is managed by Fahim Azimi in Kabul, stated that this initiative has educated thousands of Afghan girls. She emphasised that Azimi played a crucial role as the director of the centre in Afghanistan.

In a recent post on social media platform X, Mahboob noted that Azimi possessed a valid permit for educational activities in Afghanistan and was actively involved in humanitarian efforts.

Mahboob has called upon the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and other global entities to urgently intervene for the release of Azimi and his colleague from Taliban detention.

According to a statement released by the AFF, the attack resulted in the deaths of at least four individuals, including two of the Taliban governor's guards. The current status of the governor remains unknown.

Further details provided by the AFF indicate that the Taliban governor's office in Panjshir has been rendered inoperative since Thursday, with Taliban personnel being barred entry.

Local sources in Panjshir reported to Afghanistan International on Wednesday night that an explosion was heard from the provincial office headquarters. Post-explosion, the Taliban reportedly sealed off the area.

As of now, the Taliban have yet to issue a response to the incident.

The experts, in a statement, emphasised that Pakistan should not make groundless connections between Afghan refugees and terrorism threats. They pointed out that the current human rights violations and discrimination against women and girls in Afghanistan mean that mass deportations could significantly harm migrant women and girls.

The statement underscored Pakistan's obligation to align its immigration policies with international laws. This includes adhering to the principle of "non-refoulement," which forbids returning individuals to a country where they may face serious threats to their life or freedom. Furthermore, it calls for Pakistan to ensure that refugees have access to asylum-seeking processes and necessary protection.

The experts expressed their concern over the absence of any measures in Pakistan to prevent the potential irreversible harm and dangers that Afghan nationals could face upon their return.

The statement also raised concerns about the heightened risk of trafficking that migrant women and girls may encounter during forced return and displacement. It noted the particular vulnerability of religious and ethnic minorities to persecution, especially in cases of forced returns.

Further risks highlighted include the potential for deported women and girls to face early and forced marriage, human trafficking, and deprivation of rights to education, work, freedom of movement, and legal protection in Afghanistan.

The UN experts also called on the international community to assist in hosting Afghan refugees. This includes increasing opportunities for resettlement and promoting rights-based family reunification processes.

Rostami reported that his second wife and child, returning from Iran, were apprehended by the Taliban in Nimroz province and subsequently moved to Takhar. He stated that his family resides in Darqad district, Takhar, and he escaped to Iran fearing for his safety following the Taliban's ascension to power.

Despite the Taliban's declaration of a general amnesty and urging of government officials to return to Afghanistan with assurance of safety, Rostami recounted the recent arrest of 12 family members, including his children, on Tuesday, followed by the abduction of four more relatives on Wednesday.

He revealed that after the Taliban's takeover, he fled to Iran with his second wife. Rostami expressed concerns about the Taliban's intentions to force his wife, a Tajikistan national, into marriage with a Taliban commander, despite their lawful marriage.

Rostami, who served as an internal security officer in the Takhar Police Command, claimed that the Taliban have repeatedly searched his house, destroyed his property whilst searching for weapons, and severely beat his teenage daughter, resulting in injuries to her hand and face requiring urgent medical attention.

He has called upon the United Nations and human rights organisations to investigate and address this grave situation.