HRF strongly condemns the detention of Afghan journalists Imran Danish, Mansoor Niazi, and Jawid Niazi on unspecified charges. HRF continues to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan and calls for their immediate and unconditional release.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture stated that Imran Danish and Mansoor Niazi, journalists with the Afghan news channel TOLOnews, had been detained in Kabul, but officials did not provide any reasons for their detention. Additionally, Jawid Niazi, a reporter and owner of the private news agency Paigard, was also reportedly detained.

The arrests of the three journalists highlights the continued deterioration of press freedom in Afghanistan. In recent years, the Taliban has detained journalists on various charges, including for alleged espionage and reporting on the Taliban’s ban on foreign dramas.

Women journalists have faced systematic discrimination and restrictions. According to Reporters Without Borders and the Afghan Independent Journalists Association, 80 percent of women journalists have lost their jobs since the Taliban returned to power.