Category: Afghanistan

A few military and political experts have called on the Taliban to start providing the captives with educational instruction in the meantime….reports Asian Lite News

As the Taliban’s atrocities on women in Afghanistan continue in various forms, including suppression of their basic rights, a TOLOnews report has highlighted how out of around 19000 people who are currently held under prisons in Afghanistan, at least 800 are women.

According to the deputy head of the Office of the Prison Administration, there are currently about 19,000 inmates serving varying sentences in prisons throughout Afghanistan.

There are no private, unofficial jails in the nation, according to Habibullah Badar, who made this claim in an interview with RTA, the national TV network of the nation.

Additionally, he refuted accusations that inmates were subjected to “torture” in the jail, asserting that there is no torture or other forms of abuse of inmates, according to TOLOnews.

“There are a total of 19,000 detainees in various provinces and districts of the country. Many of them are under investigation. 800 of them are women,” said the deputy head of the Prison Administration.

A few military and political experts have called on the Taliban to start providing the captives with educational instruction in the meantime.

“Education is a very important issue for the detainees. The detainees should also be provided with various skills,” a political analyst, Zahorullah Zahir said, according to TOLOnews.

Despite the Taliban’s initial promise to take a moderate approach towards women’s rights after it seized power in August 2021, the ban on higher education is just one of many steps that the armed group has taken to further segregate the country and limit women’s role in society.

In the immediate aftermath of August 2021, the Taliban banned girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade and imposed strict rules requiring women to wear hijabs and to travel only with a male chaperone.

They closed down beauty salons and blocked women from working with domestic and international non-governmental aid groups, sparking international outrage on the matter. (ANI)

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As per the ministry, in that time, 4,000 homes were totally or partially destroyed, whereas 70,000 acres of agricultural land were also destroyed….reports Asian Lite News

Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed state ministry for disaster management affairs has said that in the past nine months, 350 people have died in various natural disasters in the country, TOLO News reported.

As per the ministry, in that time, 4,000 homes were totally or partially destroyed, whereas 70,000 acres of agricultural land were also destroyed.

Speaker for the Taliban’s State Ministry of Disaster Management Mullah Janan Saiq said: “Around 70,000 acres of land has been destroyed due to natural disasters. Up to four thousand homes have been destroyed either completely or partially. We have reached the affected people quickly.”

The spokesman said that 25 provinces of the country are predicted to be vulnerable to floods and other natural disasters in the ongoing solar year.

“In the current year, 25 provinces are facing different threats from natural disasters, we have highlighted 300 spots as most vulnerable to the calamities,” Saiq said.

In the meantime, those who have been affected by drought and other natural disasters are concerned about the continuation of drought and lack of crops.

The people say that farmers have endured great losses due to lack of water for their land.

“Farmers are facing grave problems due to lack of water. Gardens have dried due to less rainfall this year,” said Abdul Khalil, a drought-affected farmer.

“When there is drought, the trees do not grow, the trees face different diseases which cause heavy losses to farmers,” said Muhammad Afzal, another drought-affected farmer, as per TOLO News.

Damaged roads

The residents of Nuristan province in Afghanistan have expressed concerns over damaged roads and have therefore called on the Taliban to fulfil their promises in this regard, TOLOnews reported.

The damaged Nuristan-Kunar highway has left the locals in the province with significant obstacles, and they have requested the government to keep its word on this front.

They said that there have been more traffic accidents as a result of the damage to this highway.

“The car was parked here and flew down, and people were trying to get out from the back,” said Mohammad Salim, a Nuristan resident.

“We ask the government to pave our roads to address our problem,” a driver, Shafiullah, said, according to TOLOnews.

The locals also claimed that, because of extensive road damage, they covered a hundred kilometres in six hours. Furthermore, no other kind of vehicle is able to move in this manner, save specialty automobiles.

“The road is too damaged, and in the winter, there is a lot of frost on it and it is not easy to pass,” said Asif Khan, a resident of Nuristan, according to TOLOnews.

“Due to such damage on the road, we cannot take the patients to the doctors,” said Abrar Ulhaq, a driver,as he lamented over the situation.

Notably, the work on the first section of the Kunar-Nuristan Highway began under the previous government.

However, it was put on hold and has not been picked back up since the political changes that took place in the country after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Afghan people have been leaving their homes because of poverty, insecurity and conflicts in the country.

Moreover, Afghanistan’s women have faced numerous challenges since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

Taliban leaders have also disregarded international calls for women and girls to be given access to education and employment. Apparently, they have also issued warnings to other nations not to meddle in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs. (ANI)

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The resolution shows that the UNSC supports a “process by which Afghanistan is integrated into the international community only by meeting its international obligations…reports Asian Lite News

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the recently adopted UN Security Council resolution highlights the support of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for Afghanistan’s integration into the international community only if Kabul meets its international obligations, as reported by TOLO News.

Earlier, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Friday co-penned by the UAE and Japan that focuses on a path for Afghanistan’s reintegration into the international community, referencing the recently completed independent assessment on Afghanistan.

The resolution shows that the UNSC supports a “process by which Afghanistan is integrated into the international community only by meeting its international obligations,” he said.

While addressing a press briefing, Miller said, “We do support the resolution.”

He emphasised that Washington thinks “the resolution sends a clear message to the Taliban, to the Afghan people, and the world” about the UNSC’s support for the reintegration of Afghanistan into the international community, TOLO News reported.

Moreover, the resolution called for a UN special envoy for Afghanistan.

“It is our belief that a special envoy would be well-positioned to coordinate international engagement on Afghanistan to achieve the objectives laid out in the resolution,” he said.

Moreover, he further expressed concerns regarding the “Taliban’s repressive edicts against women and girls and its unwillingness to foster inclusive governance.”

“The decisions that it has made risk irreparable damage to Afghanistan’s society and move the Taliban further away from normalising relations with the international community,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the international community should initially recognize the interim Afghan government and then present their offers, according to TOLO News.

“Unfortunately, the UN has not fulfilled its responsibilities regarding Afghanistan. They should fulfil their responsibilities. They should accept the Islamic Emirate as part of the international community and give the rights of the Islamic Emirate… it is early to say that they are now talking. The appointment of the special envoy is unnecessary,” he said.

Moreover, some political analysts urged the two sides to consider each other’s demands in a bid to pave the way for engagement.

Wahid Faqiri, an international relations analyst said, “To end this isolation, the Islamic Emirate should accept those five points which the international community has mentioned.

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Recently returning immigrants from Pakistan have claimed that these aids are insufficient for their needs and that they are dealing with significant economic difficulties….reports Asian Lite News

The demand for humanitarian help has intensified, said Matiul Haq Khalis, President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), as a result of the earthquake in Herat and the forcible expulsion of immigrants from nearby nations, including Pakistan and Iran, TOLOnews reported.

Speaking during a ceremony to accept 5,500 aid packages from the King Salman Charity Foundation, Khalis said that because recently returned immigrants encounter many challenges in the districts and villages, ARCS is collaborating with international organisations to increase the quantity of support in those areas.

“After spending 20 to 30 years abroad, when one of them [immigrants] arrives in their district and province, they have no place to stay and face various problems,” Matiul Haq Khalis said, according to TOLOnews.

Recently returning immigrants from Pakistan have claimed that these aids are insufficient for their needs and that they are dealing with significant economic difficulties.

They requested that the Taliban provide them with employment chances as well, as the rate of unemployment has become very high in the country due to the poor economy under the Taliban regime.

“I am happy that I have received the aid, but we should be provided with employment opportunities,” Wali Khan, an Afghan returnee told TOLOnews.

“We returned from Pakistan and rented a house for 6,000 Afghanis, and we have no means to advance our lives,” Khudadad, another returnee from Pakistan said.

The Pakistani government’s action has sparked concerns regarding the treatment and rights of these refugees in Pakistan.

Pakistani officials have continued their actions despite facing condemnation and calls to stop the forceful deportation of Afghan migrants.

Earlier, the United Nations had also called on Pakistan to halt the deportation exercise.

Meanwhile, human rights activists and journalists have reported that the mistreatment is part of a campaign to compel Afghans to leave the country.

This includes night raids during which police have beaten, threatened, and detained Afghans. (ANI)

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It is the fourth earthquake that occurred in Afghanistan in a week….reports Asian Lite News

An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter Scale jolted Afghanistan on Thursday, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said.

According to NCS, the depth occurred at 9:01 am. The NCS said that the depth of the earthquake was registered at 180 kilometres.

In a post shared on X, NCS stated, “Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 04-01-2024, 09:01:50 IST, Lat: 36.60 & Long: 71.24, Depth: 180 Km, Region: Afghanistan.”

It is the fourth earthquake that occurred in Afghanistan in a week.

Earlier, an earthquake of magnitude 4.3 on the Richter Scale struck Afghanistan on Thursday, according to the National Centre for Seismology. The quake occurred at 01:12:11 (IST).

“Earthquake of Magnitude:4.3, Occurred on 04-01-2024, 01:12:11 IST, Lat: 38.24 & Long: 74.31, Depth: 120 Km ,Location: Afghanistan,” NCS posted on X.

Two earthquakes of magnitude jolted Afghanistan’s Fayzabad on Wednesday, the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported. The first quake took place at 00:28:52 IST at a depth of 80 km, 126km E of Fayzabad. Meanwhile, the second earthquake occurred 100km ESE of Fayzabad at 00:55:55 IST. The depth was registered at 100 Km.

“Earthquake of Magnitude:4.4, Occurred on 03-01-2024, 00:28:52 IST, Lat: 36.90 & Long: 71.95, Depth: 80 Km, Location: 126km E of Fayzabad, Afghanistan,” the NCS said in a post on X.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-appointed state ministry for disaster management affairs has said that in the past nine months, 350 people have died in various natural disasters in the country, TOLO News reported.

As per the ministry, in that time, 4,000 homes were totally or partially destroyed, whereas 70,000 acres of agricultural land were also destroyed.

Speaker for the Taliban’s State Ministry of Disaster Management Mullah Janan Saiq said: “Around 70,000 acres of land has been destroyed due to natural disasters. Up to four thousand homes have been destroyed either completely or partially. We have reached the affected people quickly.”

The spokesman said that 25 provinces of the country are predicted to be vulnerable to floods and other natural disasters in the ongoing solar year.

“In the current year, 25 provinces are facing different threats from natural disasters, we have highlighted 300 spots as most vulnerable to the calamities,” Saiq said.

In the meantime, those who have been affected by drought and other natural disasters are concerned about the continuation of drought and lack of crops.

The people say that farmers have endured great losses due to lack of water for their land.

“Farmers are facing grave problems due to lack of water. Gardens have dried due to less rainfall this year,” said Abdul Khalil, a drought-affected farmer.

“When there is drought, the trees do not grow, the trees face different diseases which cause heavy losses to farmers,” said Muhammad Afzal, another drought-affected farmer, as per TOLO News. (ANI)

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The UNICEF report highlights that the economic downturn has led to an increased demand for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News

The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan has worsened due to the economic crisis, according to a report by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) covering the period from August 2021 to March 2023, TOLO News reported.

The report highlights that the economic downturn has led to an increased demand for humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

Economic expert Abdul Nasir Reshtia expressed scepticism about the effectiveness of such aid, emphasising the need for development projects to address poverty and unemployment in the country, as reported by TOLO News.

In contrast, the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Economy attributes the rise in poverty to international sanctions.

Deputy Minister of Economy Abdul Latif Nazari, cited frozen assets, banking restrictions, and commercial constraints as factors contributing to the country’s economic challenges.

“The sanctions imposed on the people of Afghanistan, the assets of the Afghanistan people that have been frozen, and the banking and commercial restrictions that have been imposed in violation of international law, are the main factors of the spread of poverty in Afghanistan,” he said.

Despite the differing opinions on the impact of aid, he urged the continuation of assistance from aid organisations.

UNICEF’s projections for 2024 indicate that 23.3 million people, including 12.6 million children, will require humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

The complex interplay of economic challenges, international sanctions, and the ongoing need for aid underscores the multifaceted nature of the crisis facing the Afghan population, TOLO News reported.

It’s worth noting that the Taliban administration has disputed the UN report and has emphasised the importance of children’s rights in the country.

Meanwhile, as poverty grows in Afghanistan, the number of youngsters, seen working on the streets in the country has seen a drastic increase, raising concerns among human rights and children’s organisations.

Since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become one of the worst places to live, especially for children whose fundamental rights are being compromised amid the strict rules and regulations of the de facto authorities.

Following the sanction by the international community on the Taliban, as it took control, the country has faced financial, acute humanitarian, and human rights crises.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 and their crackdown on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, Afghan women have been leading miserable lives.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade, including university, and women are barred from most jobs and public spaces. (ANI)

Needs of 40% of Afghan Kids Remain Unmet

In its most recent study, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) stated that 40 per cent of children in Afghanistan do not meet their needs, emphasising that one-third of the country’s youngsters are involved in labour work, according to Khaama Press.

According to the organisation, many youngsters have been forced into onerous employment by their families as a result of growing poverty following the emergence of the Taliban administration.

The report, of the International Rescue Committee stated that humanitarian groups in Afghanistan have failed to meet even the most basic needs of Afghan children.

Previously, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) declared that children in Afghanistan are forced to work in hazardous conditions to survive. According to a 2022 report, 131,400 children, some as young as five years old, have been separated from their families and are subjected to violence and abuse in northern Afghanistan, reported Khaama Press.

According to the UN, children’s access to basic services in Afghanistan has been hampered by prolonged conflicts, displacement, severe poverty, food insecurity, a lack of livelihood opportunities, and a lack of investment, and there has been an increase in recruitment, abuse, and sexual violence against them.

It’s worth noting that the Taliban administration has disputed the UN report and has emphasised the importance of children’s rights in the country.

Meanwhile, as poverty grows in Afghanistan, the number of youngsters, seen working on the streets in the country has seen a drastic increase in number, raising concerns among human rights and children’s organisations.

Since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become one of the worst places to live, especially for children whose fundamental rights are being compromised amid the strict rules and regulations of the de facto authorities.

Following the sanction by the international community of the Taliban, as it took control, the country has faced financial, acute humanitarian, and human rights crises.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 and their crackdown on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, Afghan women have been leading miserable lives.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade, including university, and women are barred from most jobs and public spaces. (ANI)

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The head of the foreign ministry representation office in Nimroz added that 200 prisoners were released in the tenth round of prisoner releases last week from prisons in Iran….reports Asian Lite News

The Iranian government released 52 Afghan citizens from Al-Ghadir prison in the city of Zahedan, Khaama Press reported, citing Afghanistan’s Nimroz province announcement on Tuesday.

The Taliban-appointed Foreign Relations Minister in Nimroz, Yar Mohammad Haqyar, announced the release of prisoners and emphasised that the prisoners were released as a result of the efforts of officials from the Taliban embassy in Tehran and the Afghan consulate in Zahedan.

According to reports, these individuals were arrested by Iranian police for “not having legal documents.”

The head of the foreign ministry representation office in Nimroz added that 200 prisoners were released in the tenth round of prisoner releases last week from prisons in Iran.

It is worth mentioning that in the past months, 680 prisoners have been released in 10 phases and handed over to the authorities of the Taliban in Nimroz, Khaama Press reported.

Previously, nearly 200 Afghan citizens had been freed from Al-Ghadir prison in Zahedan, Iran.

Meanwhile, the trend of arresting and deporting illegal Afghan migrants in the countries of Iran and Pakistan has increased.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of the Taliban also reported the release of 15 Afghan citizens from prisons in Pakistan.

Child recruitment in security forces

The United Nations (UN) has called on the Taliban to recognise individuals under 18 years of age as children and prevent their recruitment into security forces, Khaama Press reported.

The Khaama Press is an online news service for Afghanistan.

The UN has said that Afghan children remain in an extremely vulnerable situation.

In a report released on Friday, the UN stated that over two years, from the beginning of 2021 to the end of 2022, a total of 4,519 cases of violence against 3,545 children ranging from a few months to 17 years old have been reported in Afghanistan. The findings indicate that the Taliban is the main perpetrator of these violations, as per Khaama Press.

The UN stated that the Taliban does not accept the international definition of a child as someone under 18 years old and considers a child to be someone who does not show signs of puberty.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba said that despite some actions by the Taliban, including the issuance of a decree prohibiting the recruitment of children, the group has not yet made child protection a part of its governance agenda.

After regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban announced that it would dismiss underage individuals from its ranks.

The United Nations said that the absence of a child protection mechanism has led to the deprivation of their freedom due to national security-related charges and alleged or actual affiliations with opposition forces or groups, according to Khaama Press.

Gamba urged the Taliban to focus on child-related issues, advocating for protective measures and recognising anyone under 18 as a child to deter their military recruitment.

The UN report, while highlighting the dire need for funding, identifies Afghan children as frequent victims of landmine incidents, lacking crucial support in the aftermath.

The report calls for global support to eliminate explosive threats, emphasising the critical need for education and increased investment in children’s safety and rights, as per Khaama Press. (ANI)

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The organisation emphasised that Afghans need help more than ever before….reports Asian Lite News

The UN World Food Programme has announced that it will be reducing its aid to Afghanistan due to a budget shortage, Khaama Press reported.

In a video published on Monday, WFP stated that it has been forced to reduce food aid to around 10 million people due to a lack of funds during the harsh winter season.

It has further called on international bodies to help the people of Afghanistan during the current winter.

The organisation emphasised that Afghans need help more than ever before.

The WFP also stated that Afghanistan is among the eight countries in the world with the worst food insecurity situation, Khaama Press reported.

According to the World Food Program, the people of Afghanistan are currently severely affected by the onset of the cold season.

Meanwhile, the WFP had previously announced that the European Union had donated 25 million euros to support the needy in Afghanistan.

The regime change, the crisis of deporting migrants, recent earthquakes in the country, water scarcity, climate changes, and recent droughts in the country have led to the spread of poverty and negative impacts, especially on women and children, causing an increase in the level of need among Afghans, according to Khaama Press.

The UN Secretary-General’s special representative on children and armed conflict in Afghanistan said in a new report that children in the country remain highly vulnerable to grave violations, TOLO News reported.

Earlier, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (OCHA) said the European Union has contributed 3 million euros to Afghanistan’s humanitarian aid, Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported.

According to OCHA, the funds provided by the EU will enable aid agencies to give necessary assistance and protection to millions in need across Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, in its most recent study, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) stated that 40 per cent of children in Afghanistan do not meet their needs, emphasising that one-third of the country’s youngsters are involved in labour work, according to Khaama Press.

According to the organisation, many youngsters have been forced into onerous employment by their families as a result of growing poverty following the emergence of the Taliban administration.

The report, of the International Rescue Committee stated that humanitarian groups in Afghanistan have failed to meet even the most basic needs of Afghan children.

Previously, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) declared that children in Afghanistan are forced to work in hazardous conditions to survive. According to a 2022 report, 131,400 children, some as young as five years old, have been separated from their families and are subjected to violence and abuse in northern Afghanistan, reported Khaama Press.

According to the UN, children’s access to basic services in Afghanistan has been hampered by prolonged conflicts, displacement, severe poverty, food insecurity, a lack of livelihood opportunities, and a lack of investment, and there has been an increase in recruitment, abuse, and sexual violence against them.

It’s worth noting that the Taliban administration has disputed the UN report and has emphasised the importance of children’s rights in the country.

Meanwhile, as poverty grows in Afghanistan, the number of youngsters, seen working on the streets in the country has seen a drastic increase in number, raising concerns among human rights and children’s organisations.

Since the Taliban seized power, Afghanistan has become one of the worst places to live, especially for children whose fundamental rights are being compromised amid the strict rules and regulations of the de facto authorities.

Following the sanction by the international community of the Taliban, as it took control, the country has faced financial, acute humanitarian, and human rights crises.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021 and their crackdown on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women and girls, Afghan women have been leading miserable lives.

Girls are banned from education beyond sixth grade, including university, and women are barred from most jobs and public spaces. (ANI)

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