Taliban Publicly Flogs Individual In Kabul

May 15, 2024, 09:38 GMT+1

The Taliban's Supreme Court announced that an individual had been publicly flogged in Kabul on charges of "sodomy”.

In a statement on Tuesday, the court mentioned that the individual was sentenced to 39 lashes and two years of imprisonment.

The Taliban stated that the physical punishment of the accused was carried out following confirmation by the first district court of Kabul.

The Taliban publicly punishes several citizens weekly on various charges.

Human rights advocates and the international community have repeatedly urged Taliban leaders to stop public and physical punishments of the accused. However, the group claims it punishes citizens according to "Islamic laws”.

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Afghanistan’s Challenges Require Multilayered Solutions, Says Iranian FM

May 14, 2024, 11:55 GMT+1

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Iran's Foreign Minister, during a meeting with Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Special Representative for Afghanistan, said that Iran is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan.

Amir-Abdollahian, during this meeting on Monday, stated that the complexity of Afghanistan's problems requires diverse and multilayered solutions.

He did not elaborate on the complexity of the situation in Afghanistan but criticised what he called "targeted US interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs," which, according to him, would further complicate the situation.

Both the US and Iran emphasise on the formation of an inclusive government with the participation of all ethnic and political factions in Afghanistan. However, Tehran does not support the broad global sanctions against the Taliban or the Western countries' emphasis on human rights observance by the Taliban.

Iran seeks to address the Taliban government's issues, including its legitimacy crisis and tense relations with the world, through the diplomatic efforts of influential neighbouring and regional countries.

According to a statement from Iran's Foreign Ministry, Amir-Abdollahian expressed his support for an "initiative of Afghanistan's neighbours to help solve the country's problems”.

Otunbayeva also provided explanations during this meeting about the third round of the Doha talks on Afghanistan. The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that the UN special representative emphasised on the coordination of regional countries regarding Afghanistan and welcomed Tehran's continued efforts within the framework of the neighbours’ meetings.

Afghan Activists & Taliban Representatives Meet In Norway

May 14, 2024, 10:58 GMT+1

According to news received by Afghanistan International, a meeting is currently taking place in Norway between representatives of the Afghan civil society and members of the Taliban.

This meeting is being held at the invitation of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Our sources said that the two sides are discussing the human rights situation in the country and the future of Afghanistan.

It has also been reported that the representatives are discussing political dialogue and economic empowerment.

Sources said that Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights for Afghanistan, is also present in Oslo and has had discussions with various Afghan groups.

It has been said that the Taliban members and supporters who have traveled from Kabul to attend this meeting include Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen, Qazi Saeed Moshk Alam, Matiullah Mohammadi, Jafar Mahdavi, Saleh Mazari, Sayed Younis Agha, Hadid Zakir, and Faiz Zaland.

Additionally, the representatives of Afghan civil society in these discussions are: Kawun Kakar, Asila Wardak, Momina Yari, Haris Sayghani, Abdul Qayyum Sajadi, General Ansari, Angela Ahmadi, Amin Karim and Qahramana Kakar, Faiz Mohammad Osmani, and Fatima Gailani.

Taliban Detains Several Protesters In Argo District of Badakhshan

May 14, 2024, 10:30 GMT+1

Local sources said that the Taliban have detained several groups of protesters in Argo and transferred them by helicopter to Faizabad, the capital of Badakhshan.

An informed source said that the Taliban members have arrested at least 22 protesters in the village of Barlas.

The Taliban in Badakhshan confirmed the arrest of several protesters but did not comment on the number of detainees.

The Taliban stated that these protesters demonstrated against the eradication of poppy cultivation and were detained after the protests turned violent and the Taliban members had to shoot at the protesters.

This protest occurred on Monday in continuation of the eradication of poppy fields in Badakhshan.

The Taliban's Chief of Staff has stated that the eradication of poppies will continue despite local dissatisfaction and protests in Badakhshan.

Argo Protesters Call For Nationwide Uprising Against Taliban

May 13, 2024, 14:34 GMT+1

Protesters in Argo district have issued a call to action for Afghans, particularly in Badakhshan, to join the nationwide uprising against the Taliban.

The message, disseminated on behalf of the "people of Argo district”, states, "Join the public protests from near and far to dismantle the palace of tyranny and fanaticism."

The resurgence of protests in Argo reflects the ongoing dissatisfaction with the Taliban's response to the community's demands.

Protesters have highlighted three key demands: the expulsion of non-native Taliban forces from Badakhshan, alternatives to opium cultivation, and justice for the victims of violence.

Sources in Badakhshan reported that two Taliban helicopters had also been deployed to suppress the demonstrators in Barlas village, Argo district.

Local reports indicated that after Taliban forces shot at protesters, at least two individuals had been killed and nine people were injuried.

Additionally, sources from Argo district informed Afghanistan International that residents from surrounding areas are converging on Barlas village, leading to an increase in the number of protesters.

Simultaneously, residents of Faizabad reported that Taliban forces have been mobilised from their city towards Argo.

National Resistance Front Reports Killing Three Taliban Members in Herat

May 13, 2024, 14:12 GMT+1

The National Resistance Front (NRF) has declared that it conducted two separate attacks in Herat city and Tulk district, resulting in the deaths of three Taliban members and the injury of another.

The Taliban has not yet issued any response to this assertion by the National Resistance Front.

The group, led by Ahmad Massoud, detailed that their forces launched an assault on Taliban military positions in District 11 of Herat city at 8:20pm on Sunday.

The statement revealed that Mawlawi Noorullah Hanza from Ghor province was among those killed in the incident.

The statement further noted that early on Sunday, the Resistance forces targeted a Taliban base in the Tulk district of Herat province. This attack resulted in the death of an individual under the command of Mawlawi Abdul Rahman, the Taliban police commander for the Obe district in Herat.