Over 360 rights activists urged immediate release of jailed reporters in Afghanistan

Over 360 rights activists urged immediate release of jailed reporters in Afghanistan
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More than 360 journalists, media workers and rights activists have voiced deep concern over the situation of detained reporters in Afghanistan, calling for their immediate and unconditional release in an open letter.

According to Khaama Press, the signatories said responsibility for the health and safety of jailed journalists lies with the authorities in Kabul, warning that continued detention raises serious human rights concerns.

The letter, addressed to the United Nations, the European Union and international media watchdogs, names several detained journalists, including Shakeeb Ahmad Nazari, Bashir Hatef and Hamid Farhadi.

The signatories said their colleagues are enduring harsh prison conditions despite their work being limited to informing the public, stressing that detention for professional journalism is a violation of fundamental freedoms.

They added that imprisoning journalists for their reporting contradicts international human rights standards and undermines principles of free expression and access to information.

Press freedom in Afghanistan has sharply deteriorated in recent years, with increasing restrictions on media outlets, reporters and civil society groups.

International organisations have repeatedly warned that arbitrary arrests, censorship and restrictionsا on reporting have created a climate of fear among journalists.