Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met with Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, the Taliban-appointed ambassador to Tashkent, to discuss bilateral cooperation, according to a statement released by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday.
The ministry said Uzbekistan supports Afghanistan’s development and emphasised the importance of the country’s integration into regional and global supply chains.
Abdul Ghaffar Bahr, a close associate of Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, was appointed ambassador to Uzbekistan in September 2024.
While Uzbekistan has not formally recognised the Taliban government, it has accepted the group's envoy and maintains extensive diplomatic and economic relations with the Taliban administration.
The Afghanistan Journalists Centre has recorded at least 140 violations of press freedom in the first half of 2025, marking a 56 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
Most incidents involved direct threats to media outlets and intimidation of journalists.
In a report released Friday, 11 July, the centre said the Taliban have imposed new restrictions on visual media, particularly television, citing the enforcement of the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law. The ban on broadcasting images of living beings has expanded from five provinces to an additional 14.
These measures have led to the closure of 26 outlets, primarily local television stations. Some have shut down entirely, while others have been converted to radio operations. The report also noted that two radio stations and one private TV channel were closed on accusations of collaborating with foreign media. They were only allowed to resume limited operations after agreeing to strict self-censorship.
20 Journalists Arrested
At least 20 journalists were arrested during this period, most on charges of “propaganda against the ruling administration.” Six have been sentenced to between six months and one year in prison and are currently held at Pul-e-Charkhi and Bagram prisons.
The report highlights increasing pressure on female journalists and media outlets led by women. In some provinces, local Taliban officials have reportedly made the renewal of media licences conditional on male ownership or management. In Kandahar, broadcasting women’s voices has been fully banned, as part of what the report describes as a systematic effort to remove women from media based on an extreme interpretation of Sharia law.
The financial crisis facing private media has also worsened due to declining international support, forcing many outlets to cut programming and lay off staff.
Political Programming Banned
In Kabul, the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture has reportedly banned political and economic discussions from being broadcast, further limiting public access to information.
The Afghanistan Journalists Centre warned of the long-term consequences of ongoing media repression and called on the Taliban to uphold press freedom under existing laws.
It also urged the international community to increase pressure on the Taliban to protect independent journalism and support a pluralistic media environment in Afghanistan.
On the occasion of World Population Day, observed annually on 11 July, the European Union Delegation in Afghanistan has underscored the importance of inclusive education, calling it the foundation for the country’s long-term future.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the EU reaffirmed its solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and reiterated its commitment to supporting their well-being. It highlighted efforts to meet basic needs, improve livelihoods, and contribute to a resilient and sustainable future for all Afghans.
The EU outlined its collaboration with partners to deliver essential health services across the country, including reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, mental health, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, and disease prevention.
The statement also pointed to the EU’s support for education and vocational training through initiatives such as the rehabilitation of schools and the provision of daily meals for students.
In addition, the EU Delegation noted its assistance to internally displaced persons and returning migrants, focusing on education, protection, economic resilience, job creation, and other vital services.
Investing in livelihoods and local economies is key to Afghanistan’s future, the EU said, stressing the need to support farmers and rural communities, particularly in light of worsening drought and the impacts of climate change.
The United Kingdom has welcomed the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Taliban leaders, calling it a step towards accountability for human rights abuses in Afghanistan.
In a statement to Afghanistan International on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said the UK stands with the people of Afghanistan and strongly opposes the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.
The UK does not recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan and has repeatedly denounced the group’s policies as oppressive and discriminatory, particularly toward women and girls.
While maintaining limited and pragmatic dialogue with the Taliban when aligned with national interests, the UK reaffirmed its commitment to supporting international investigations and efforts to ensure accountability for crimes committed in Afghanistan.
The spokesperson also confirmed that the UK backs efforts to refer the Taliban to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over violations of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Additionally, the UK welcomed the ICC’s continued focus on the plight of Afghan women and girls, underscoring the need for justice and international attention to their ongoing persecution.
Taliban acting Prime Minister Hasan Akhund has called on Iranian authorities to uphold principles of “gradual repatriation, dignity, and good neighbourliness” in their treatment of Afghan migrants, urging an end to what he described as degrading and humiliating behaviour.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Akhund warned that such treatment could foster “hatred and resentment between the two nations.” He acknowledged Iran’s long-standing role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees but criticised Tehran’s recent decision to deport undocumented migrants, describing it as a unilateral move.
The Taliban called on Iranian officials to allow deported migrants to take their personal belongings with them and facilitate the transfer of their assets, including movable property, real estate, and funds in bank accounts.
The statement also urged Iran to ensure that detention centres for migrants are equipped with adequate facilities, particularly amid extreme summer heat, to prevent further hardship and suffering.
The Taliban warned that the mistreatment of Afghan nationals during deportation processes risks inflaming tensions between the Afghan and Iranian peoples.
Iranian officials, including foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, have previously pledged that the repatriation of Afghan migrants would be carried out gradually and with respect for their dignity.
Michael McCaul, former chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee, has strongly criticised Russia’s decision to officially recognise the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, calling it a dangerous move to legitimise “a tyrannical regime.”
In a statement posted on Thursday, 11 July, on X (formerly Twitter), McCaul wrote: “Since their brutal takeover of Afghanistan, the Taliban have created a devastating humanitarian crisis — destroying advances in women’s rights, taking American hostages for political gain, and publicly executing individuals.”
He condemned Russia’s move as “a transparent attempt by the unholy alliance to legitimize its allies,” adding, “I join leaders across the free world in decrying this dangerous move, which puts a rubber stamp on the Taliban’s brutal rule.”
Earlier this month, Russia became the first permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, and the first country globally, to formally recognise the Taliban as Afghanistan’s ruling government.
The Kremlin’s decision has drawn sharp criticism from Washington. While China has yet to extend formal recognition, it publicly welcomed Moscow’s move. Other nations have so far remained silent on the issue.
