Switzerland Deports Two Afghan Migrants Designated as “Criminals”

According to the court, the accused received between 10 and 39 lashes in front of a public audience.

On Sunday, 13th October, the Taliban’s Supreme Court revealed that the criminal division of the primary court in Kunar had sentenced the accused to prison terms ranging from 16 days to three years. The court also stated that the punishment was carried out in the presence of court staff and visitors at the primary court in Kunar city.

Despite widespread condemnation from international human rights organisations, which decry corporal punishment as a violation of human dignity, and repeated calls for its cessation, the Taliban continue to enforce such punishments and use torture on suspects across Afghanistan.

International organisations have also emphasised that Taliban courts do not follow the principles of fair trial, often denying the accused access to legal representation and due process rights.

According to the report, 30.4% of Afghanistan’s population is malnourished, and 5.8% of children die before reaching the age of five. Additionally, the report highlights that 44.6% of children under the age of five in Afghanistan suffer from stunted growth, a reflection of chronic malnutrition. Furthermore, 3.6% of children have a lower-than-expected weight for their height, signifying acute malnutrition.

The Global Hunger Index also noted that 5.8% of Afghan children die before the age of five due to inadequate nutrition and poor living conditions. The hunger situation in Afghanistan, under Taliban control, alongside 35 other countries, was assessed as “serious.”

In last year’s index, Afghanistan ranked 114th with a score of 30.6. However, with this year’s ranking at 116th, the hunger level in the country has worsened. Under Taliban rule, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has escalated over the past three years. According to the United Nations, more than 24 million people currently require humanitarian assistance.

The 2024 Global Hunger Index categorised hunger levels in 51 countries as “low,” 37 countries as “moderate,” 36 countries as “serious,” and 6 countries as “alarming.” On a global scale, hunger was rated as “moderate” with a score of 18.3. This marks a slight increase compared to eight years ago when the global hunger score was 18.8, reflecting a modest rise in hunger levels worldwide.

The report also highlighted that achieving the United Nations’ “Sustainable Development Goals” to eliminate global hunger by 2030 is becoming increasingly challenging. Since 2016, progress in reducing global hunger has been minimal.

In this year’s rankings, Belarus recorded the lowest hunger level globally, with a score of less than 5. Burundi and South Sudan, with scores between 35 and 49.9, are classified as experiencing “alarming” levels of hunger.

The Global Hunger Index is prepared by European non-governmental organisations, and the results are published annually in October.

The French anti-terrorism court has yet to release full details about the identity of the young man arrested in Toulouse.

According to AFP, the 22-year-old Afghan had planned to attack a shopping centre or football stadium. French police arrested him after U.S. authorities provided information from their interrogation of Nasir Ahmad Tawhidi, the suspect arrested in the United States, to French officials.

French police confirmed that three individuals were arrested in Toulouse, located in southwestern France, on charges of “terrorism and plotting a suspicious attack.” However, after initial investigations, the French anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office released two of the suspects.

Earlier, U.S. police announced that Nasir Ahmad Tawhidi, a 27-year-old Afghan refugee, had been arrested for planning an attack during the U.S. elections.

The U.S. Department of Justice accused Tohidi of preparing a terrorist attack on behalf of ISIS during the U.S. elections in November, with the intention of shooting and killing multiple people.

According to U.S. police, Tawhidi was active in pro-ISIS Telegram groups and had donated at least $540 in cryptocurrency to a Syria-based charity that served as a front for sending funds to ISIS.

NBC News reported on 10th October that Tawhidi had previously worked as a security guard with the CIA in Afghanistan.

Earlier, local sources had reported an explosion in the area.

In a statement, the Afghanistan Freedom Front said they had targeted a Taliban vehicle in the operation. The group identified the Taliban intelligence official as “Talha” and stated that one other Taliban member was injured in the attack.

Taliban officials have yet to comment on the incident. On Saturday evening, local sources informed Afghanistan International that an explosion was heard near the Russian embassy in Kabul. In video clips released by the Afghanistan Freedom Front, the sound of the explosion can be heard.

According to Pakistani media reports, the organisation's secretariat has not sent any invitations to the Taliban.

So far, no country has recognised the Taliban administration as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

The Express Tribune, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Afghanistan's membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) has been inactive since September 2021 after the Taliban's entry into Kabul.

Afghanistan joined the SCO as an observer member on June 7, 2012.

Islamabad, as the host of the summit, expects to welcome the leaders of various countries and about 200 delegations.

Unlike the Taliban administration, the Mongolian government has been invited as an observer country.