Amnesty tells Taliban 'release detained Afghan women activists now'

Amnesty International called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of women human rights defenders recently detained by Afghanistan's Taliban.

The global watchdog on Monday said that at least three prominent figures, Zarifa Yaqoobi, Farhat Popalzai and Humaira Yusuf have been detained along with some of their colleagues since early November.

Yaqoobi was arrested alongside four male colleagues, according to sources who spoke with broadcaster Afghanistan International. They had been at a press conference held in Kabul to announce the Afghan Women Movement for Equality's creation.

"The recent wave of arrests of women human rights defenders in Afghanistan is yet another attempt to quell all forms of peaceful protests and any dissent against the Taliban's oppressive policies that violate human rights, particularly of women and girls," Amnesty's South Asia campaigner Samira Hamidi said in a press release.

"Such arrests will no doubt increase the environment of fear and reprisal in a continuing system of repression that goes unchecked."

"As the de-facto authorities, the Taliban must comply with international human rights law and standards, and immediately and unconditionally release these women human rights defenders and their colleagues who have been arrested solely for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly," she continued. 

Hamidi said Amnesty was "concerned about the safety and integrity" of Yaqoobi, Popalzai, Yusuf and colleagues.

The Taliban have previously tortured and prevented detainees from accessing lawyers or family members, she added.

Those fleeing Taliban persecution remain in grave danger, particularly Afghan women who dared speak out about their repression. The New Arab speaks with one Afghan woman whose vocal activism landed her in a Taliban-run prison https://t.co/EN5MjqtyxW

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) October 13, 2022

Hamidi said: "The Taliban must be held accountable for their human rights abuses and violations as they continue to act with impunity.

"The international community must condemn these acts, both publicly and in their private interactions with the Taliban and send a clear message that their current policies towards women and girls are not acceptable."

The Taliban have been heavily criticised over their treatment of women and girls since the Islamist group regained power in Afghanistan last year.

The extremist group has continued to stop girls from attending school past the sixth grade.