The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) recently urged the Taliban to release Shikib Ahmad Nazari, an Afghan journalist detained since July. In particular, CPJ Asia-Pacific Director Beh Lih Yi emphasized the need for Nazari’s immediate release and condemned the coercion of journalists into making confessions, which highlights ongoing issues with press freedom under Taliban rule.
Nazari, who reports for Japanese outlet Nippon TV News, was apprehended by Taliban intelligence agents during a raid on his Kabul office on July 24. His family revealed that no warrant or formal explanation accompanied his arrest, leaving his current status and location uncertain. This incident is part of a broader pattern noted by CPJ, where Afghan journalists working with international media have faced increasing pressure. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, there have been numerous reports of arbitrary arrests, intimidation, and censorship directed at members of the press. More details on the call for his release are available here.
International organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have long cautioned that such restrictions on independent media not only violate international human rights law but also deprive Afghans of their right to information. This isn’t a new development, as Afghan journalists have faced suspensions from covering public protests, physical assaults, and the forced shutdown of media outlets. Previously, CPJ has called on the Taliban to revoke its prohibitive stance on political and economic programs broadcast by local Afghan outlets.
The detention of journalists is part of a broader pattern of human rights violations under the Taliban, who have also been criticized for their extreme restrictions on women’s rights. These violations prompted the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against senior Taliban leaders, citing gender-based persecution among other charges.
The Taliban authorities have yet to publicly comment on the case of Shikib Ahmad Nazari, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the future of press freedom in the region. As the international community remains alert to developments in Afghanistan, the ongoing crackdown highlights the critical state of journalistic freedom and human rights under Taliban governance.