Taliban Suspends Activities of 17 Local Radio, Television Stations Amid Growing Concerns for Women’s Rights

The Taliban has suspended the operations of 17 radio and television stations in Nangarhar province due to non-payment of taxes, raising significant concerns about press freedom in the region. Concurrently, the Purple Saturdays Movement has highlighted the deteriorating human rights situation for women, urging the international community to take stronger measures against the Taliban’s oppressive policies.

More details in the following report:

According to Khaama Press, the Afghanistan Journalists Center reported yesterday that the Taliban’s Ministry of Communications and Technology issued a warning that these media outlets would not be allowed to operate until their outstanding taxes are settled. The center expressed serious concern over this decision, urging the Taliban to treat local media fairly. Local media officials reported that economic difficulties have increased since the Taliban’s return to power, with advertising revenue, their primary income source, significantly decreasing.

The center noted that in the first half of this year, the Taliban had already shut down seven media outlets, including two television stations in Kabul and several radio stations across different provinces. The Taliban’s Ministry of Communications stated that the licenses of these media outlets were suspended due to tax arrears, with annual taxes set at 108,000 Afghanis. The Afghanistan Journalists Center acknowledged that many media outlets owe back taxes ranging from one to ten years. Currently, only 14 radio stations remain operational in Nangarhar.

Meanwhile, the Purple Saturdays Movement has raised alarms about the human rights situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, particularly regarding women’s rights. Their appeal highlights a rise in reports of sexual violence, forced marriages among girls under 18, and an increase in suicides among women facing oppressive conditions. They have called on the international community and the United Nations to take stronger measures against the Taliban to address these issues.

Since the Taliban’s takeover in August 2021, they have imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, including barring girls from education beyond sixth grade and prohibiting female participation in university entrance exams.