Matiullah Wesa, a prominent activist for girls’ education and a former Taliban detainee, has won the Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Award in the category of Youth Creativity and Participation.
Wesa attended the ninth edition of the award ceremony on Sunday, in Doha. The event was held in cooperation with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, presented the awards to winners in several categories. Speaking at the ceremony, he said: “Combating corruption is a global responsibility that requires concerted efforts of international organisations and initiatives of individuals of integrity.”
The Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani International Anti-Corruption Award has been held annually since 2016 to recognise individuals and innovative projects aimed at fighting corruption. Previous ceremonies have taken place in Vienna, Geneva, Malaysia, Rwanda, Tunisia, Qatar, Uzbekistan and Costa Rica.
Wesa received his award directly from the Emir of Qatar. He had been arrested by the Taliban’s intelligence agency in March 2023 and was released 215 days later.
Before his arrest, Wesa had been organising education programmes for girls. At the time, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Wesa was acting “unilaterally” and holding gatherings without informing the authorities.
Mujahid also alleged that Wesa maintained both covert and overt contacts with “foreign actors” and was receiving instructions from abroad.
