Spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Ravina Shamdasani

Site: Geneva

Dated: February 1, 2022

We are deeply alarmed by the continued disappearance of six people who were abducted in Kabul two weeks ago in connection with recent protests for women’s rights. We are very concerned for their well-being and safety.

Despite the de facto the announcement Saturday by the authorities of an investigation into the disappearance of these individuals, there is still no confirmed information on their fate.

In the early evening of January 19, Parwana Ibrahim Khil and his brother-in-law were abducted on their way to Kabul. Later that evening, Tamana Paryani and her three sisters were taken from a house in town. The two women had taken part in a peaceful street demonstration on January 16, advocating for the respect of women’s human rights.

Since then, there have been reports of other women’s homes being searched because of their participation in protests. The lack of clear information on the whereabouts and well-being of these and other people perpetuates a climate of fear and uncertainty.

These reports have also highlighted what appears to be a pattern of arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as torture and ill-treatment, of civil society activists, journalists and media professionals, as well as former members of the government and security forces in Afghanistan. We also continue to receive credible allegations of other gross human rights violations. Control of dissent appears to be tightening.

We call on the de facto the authorities to report publicly on the findings of their investigation into the abduction and disappearance of these activists and their families, to take all possible measures to ensure their immediate and safe release, and to hold those responsible to account.

We also urge the de facto authorities to ensure that all reports of this nature are investigated promptly and effectively, and that steps are taken to hold those responsible for arbitrary abductions and arrests to account, in accordance with international human rights law. human rights. All those who may be arbitrarily detained for exercising their rights must be promptly released. We also urge Taliban leaders to send clear messages to their base that there will be no retaliation against people who peacefully protest and exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

ENDS

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Ravina Shamdasani – + 41 22 917 9169 / ravina.shamdasani@un.org or

Liz Throssell + 41 22 917 9296 / elizabeth.throssell@un.org

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