The International Assistance Mission (IAM), an Afghanistan non-profit organisation, is engaged in firm endeavours to secure the release of 18 staff members currently detained by the Taliban, a quest they undertake in association with the United Nations.
For over half a century, IAM has been dedicated towards humanitarian work and improving the welfare of the Afghan populace. The cornerstone of their approach is a belief that aid must not be used to bolster specific religious or political perspectives. Regrettably, the reasons behind these detentions, including one involving a foreign national, stand unexplained.
IAM specifies, “At this time, we have no information about the nature of allegations against our staff and are, therefore, unable to comment or speculate about this ongoing situation. However, should any charges be lodged against our organisation or any individual staff member, we will independently review any evidence presented.”
The recent detentions follow the prior arrests of three IAM staff members, two Afghan nationals and one international team member, all stationed in IAM’s Ghor office. Post their arrest, all workers have been moved to Kabul.
As reported by The Independent, NGOs in Afghanistan have faced increasing scrutiny since the Taliban took over two years ago. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , Amnesty International , and the Norwegian Refugee Council have highlighted related issues involving restrictions on women’s work in these organisations.
IAM has sought assistance from the Afghan Ministry of Economy, the United Nations, and the Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief & Development (ACBAR), a local NGO fostering information-sharing and networking among NGOs in Afghanistan. However, the exact rationale for these detentions has yet to be communicated to them.