UN Experts Urge IOC to Support Afghan Women Athletes

Mousavi stressed that, like Iranian citizens, foreign nationals in Iran are also expected to adhere to the country’s laws and regulations.

In a post on the X social media platform, Mousavi wrote that xenophobia is not supported by any official or institution in Iran, as it goes against the "Islamic tradition of brotherhood and the culture of hospitality”.

His comments appear to be in response to the widespread backlash following reports of an Afghan teenager being tortured by the Iranian police. Mousavi is the first official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address these criticisms. However, he did not provide details on why the police used force against the Afghan teenager.

Furthermore, Mousavi did not clarify the charges against the Afghan teenager or whether the police officer involved in the violent incident would face legal consequences.

The recent release of a video showing the torture of 16-year-old Afghan migrant Sayed Mahdi by police in Damavand County has sparked widespread outrage. In the video, one Iranian police officer is seen restraining Mahdi’s arms and legs while another officer presses his knee on the teenager's neck. Mahdi’s mother can be heard pleading with the officers to release her son.

On Thursday, Mahdi’s family released a video calling for an investigation into the mistreatment of their son by Iranian police.

He emphasised that no individual is beyond the reach of Iran’s extensive surveillance network.

On Friday, August 9, the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) quoted Fakhari as saying, "Even if someone enters the country through gaps in the system, they will not evade our control and surveillance network. The authorities are precisely observing the behaviour and actions of foreign nationals with full vigilance."

Fakhari’s remarks come amid a recent escalation in pressure on Afghan migrants in Iran. In recent days, widespread criticism has emerged following reports of violent behaviour by Iranian police officers in the village of Absard, Damavand County, Tehran, towards Mahdi Mousavi, an Afghan migrant. Sources told Afghanistan International that Mousavi sustained a neck injury due to a police officer's use of excessive force.

Additionally, two days ago, Ahmad Reza Radan, the Chief of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force, announced that undocumented foreign nationals must leave Iran and return to their home countries by the end of this year, describing the deportation as a strategic policy of the Islamic Republic.

On the same day, Alireza Fatehinejad, the Governor of Shahriar County in Tehran, announced the commencement of operations to collect illegal migrants in the county.

During a meeting with Iranian officials, he emphasised that undocumented Afghan migrants would be deported as part of this initiative.

The Union urged the international community to recognise and include Turkic women in negotiations related to the country’s future.

In an open letter addressed to the international community on Thursday, the Union stressed on the importance of meaningful and effective participation of Turkic women in discussions and meetings related to Afghanistan.

Without naming specific individuals or groups, the Union accused some civil activists of colluding with certain circles, both during the Republic and after its fall, to monopolise activities related to women's collective action.

The Union also highlighted that a significant portion of Afghan women, particularly Turkic women, have been marginalised in discussions, political processes, women-focused projects, and other areas.

In its statement, the Union drew parallels between the "monopolistic tendencies of the Taliban" and the policies of "ethnic circles outside Afghanistan," accusing both of perpetuating discrimination against large segments of Afghan society.

The Afghanistan Turkic Women’s Union emphasised that the struggle for women's rights is not exclusive to any single ethnic group, but a shared endeavour for all Afghan women.

The Union expressed its readiness to participate actively in Afghanistan's political, social, and economic processes and called on the international community to ensure that the role and position of Turkic women are considered in future discussions.

Voronkov added that the group has increased its efforts to recruit more members.

He warned that a large part of Africa could fall under the control of ISIS and its affiliated branches.

Voronkov emphasised that ISIS-Khorasan, by claiming responsibility for attacks in various parts of the world, has demonstrated its intent for international attacks.

ISIS-K is based in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The UN Security Council reported that ISIS-K has infiltrated the Taliban's security institutions and is expanding its influence into Central Asia.

According to the Council's assessment, the Taliban have been unable to control and contain ISIS. The Taliban have stated that the group is not a threat to Afghanistan.

Voronkov told the Security Council that ISIS branches have expanded and consolidated their operational areas in West Africa and the Sahel region.

He added that if their influence continues to grow, a vast territory from Mali to northern Nigeria could fall under their control.

The UN Under-Secretary said that in parts of Mozambique, Somalia, and Congo, there has been a significant increase in terrorist attacks, resulting in the deaths of many civilians.

Sources close to Mujahid allege that his arrest by the Taliban was driven by "political motives”.

Mujahid returned to Kabul in July last year, after which he was promptly arrested and imprisoned.

On May 12, a spokesperson for the Taliban's police command announced that Mujahid was being held on suspicion of killing an individual named "Qari Saeedullah" and would remain in custody.

However, sources close to Mujahid assert that the charges against him remain vague, and they believe his detention is politically motivated and lacks legitimate grounds.

These sources also expressed that Mujahid's situation remains uncertain.
In November 2021, Mujahid was controversially arrested by Taliban members in Kabul and later left Afghanistan. A video of his arrest circulated widely at the time, with many describing the manner of his detention as "humiliating”.

Allah Gul Mujahid had initially returned to Afghanistan at the invitation of the Taliban's Commission for Contact with Afghan Personalities.