Rights groups have condemned the Taliban for the reported arrest and severe beating of two Afghan journalists, urging it to punish those responsible.
Nemat Naqdi and Taqi Daryabi from Kabul-based media outlet Etilaat-e Roz, were covering a women’s rights protest in the Afghan capital on Tuesday when they were reportedly detained and attacked by the Taliban.
Etilaat-e Roz said the two men were placed in separate cells at a police station in Kabul, where Taliban authorities severely beat them with cables.
Both men were treated in hospital for back and face injuries after being released on Wednesday.
Afghan journalists Nemat Naqdi and Taqi Daryabi were reportedly detained and beaten by Taliban authorities. Source: Marcus Yam
Human Rights Watch said the Taliban must stop all attacks against protesters and journalists - and ensure those responsible are "appropriately punished".
"Taliban authorities claimed that they would allow the media to function so long as they 'respected Islamic values' but they are increasingly preventing journalists from reporting on demonstrations," said the associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, Patricia Gossman.
"The Taliban need to ensure that all journalists are able to carry out their work without abusive restrictions or fear of retribution."
Human Rights Watch said TOLOnews photojournalist, Wahid Ahmadi, was also detained on Tuesday and released the same day.
It said the Taliban confiscated his camera and prevented other journalists from filming the protest.
Amnesty International’s South Asia campaigner, Samira Hamidi, said despite the Taliban repeatedly insisting it will respect human rights, its actions say otherwise.
"Afghans who have taken to the streets, understandably fearful about the future, are being met with intimidation, harassment, and violence – particularly directed at women," she said.
"Multiple journalists attempting to cover the protests have reported being detained, beaten up and having their equipment confiscated."
The Taliban fired shots into the air to disperse crowds. Source: AFP
Ms Hamidi said Amnesty International urges the Taliban to allow people to exercise their right to protest peacefully.
"Journalists must also be permitted to report on the protests without fear of violence," she said.
Ms Hamidi called on the international community to "use all leverage" in ongoing negotiations with the Taliban to demand basic human rights are protected.
