The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan’s (UNAMA) documented instances of human rights violations affecting 336 journalists and media workers between 15 August 2021 to 30 September 2024.

As per its new report, UNAMA stated that it recorded 256 instances of arbitrary arrest and detention (249 men, seven women), 130 torture and ill-treatment (122 men, eight women) and 75 threats or intimidation (66 men, nine women) against media workers.

Women journalists and media workers were found to face particularly restrictive and discriminatory measures affecting their ability to undertake their professional work.

UNAMA stated in its report that Taliban authorities’ measures interfering with editorial content and internal operation of media outlets have substantially diminished media freedom. It asked the group to rescind and replace policies that restrict freedom of expression.

UNAMA asked the Taliban to refrain from the use of threats and intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detentions as well as court proceedings and imprisonment as a means to influence the independence of media outlets and their editorial content.

“For any country a free press is not a choice, but a necessity. Journalists and media workers in Afghanistan work under challenging conditions. They often face unclear rules on what they can and cannot report, running the risk of intimidation and arbitrary detention for perceived criticism,” said Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA.

The report emphasised that the lack of transparent procedures in determining violations and the use of intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detentions on those who criticise the group create a culture of self-censorship and negatively impact freedom of expression.

As per the report, media outlets are often required to co-ordinate and seek approval from the de facto authorities prior to publishing a report, while news agendas are subjected to pre-vetting, which is tantamount to censorship.

UNAMA highlighted how media outlets are subject to a range of restrictions on their operations. They include a prohibition on broadcasting music or movies deemed against Sharia (including those showing women).

The report also explained how at offices of media outlets, men and women must work in segregated workspaces, and male and female broadcasters must not appear in a programme together. In some provinces, women are not allowed to call into radio programmes, with an exception for those on health or religious issues concerning women.

UNAMA stated that the publication of the Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice codified restrictions already in place, expanded on existing ones and added new restrictions, which includes the prohibition to create or display images of living beings, the voice of women is now considered private and should be concealed outside of a woman’s home, and drivers are not allowed to provide transportation to women without a mahram (male guardian).

‘Foreign media outlets’

The report stressed that some Afghan media outlets, while relocating their operations to outside Afghanistan after 15 August 2021, continue to produce media content for an audience inside Afghanistan. However, as per the report, these “media-in-exile” or “diaspora media” are considered by the Taliban to be operating illegally, which makes journalists working in the country for these outlets particularly vulnerable to arbitrary arrests and detentions.

‘Restrictions on women’

In addition to instructions that apply to all media workers, female journalists are subjected to additional restrictions on women in general. As per the report, in various instances, women are required to obtain an additional permission letter to access reporting sites, a procedure which is not always required for male journalists. UNAMA also noted instances when female journalists were not invited or not allowed to attend press conferences. Officials of the de facto authorities regularly refuse to be interviewed by a woman.

‘Main authority’

The report noted that even though the Taliban’s Ministry of Information and Culture is the main entity overseeing media issues in Afghanistan, however, the General Directorate of Intelligence and the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice are frequently observed to be involved in media related matters.

The United Nations body in its report stressed that after 15 August 2021 when the Taliban took over the country, a large number of media outlets ceased their operations. This has been attributed to different factors, including loss of revenue stemming from the overall economic difficulties of the country, the withdrawal of donor support after the Taliban takeover, an exodus of journalists, as well as various restrictions imposed by the Taliban authorities.

It stated that the Taliban continues to create an extremely challenging operating environment for media, including but not limited to censorship and difficulties in accessing information.

As per UNAMA data, shortly before the Taliban takeover on 15 August 2021, Afghanistan had approximately 543 media outlets employing approximately 10,790 media workers. However, by November 2021, 43% of these outlets were closed, with only 4,360 media workers remaining.

Reportedly, more than 84% of female media workers lost their jobs in the media sector soon after the takeover.

Nevertheless, the report stressed that despite the challenges, by the end of 2023, the number of male journalists increased by 10% and female journalists by 17% as compared to 2022.

The United Nations body stated that freedom of expression is a necessary condition for the realization of the principles of transparency and accountability, which are essential for the promotion, protection and fulfilment of human rights.

It stated that while the Taliban has reiterated their commitment for media to operate freely, UNAMA has documented measures and incidents since its takeover that are contrary to Afghanistan’s human rights obligations.

UNAMA called on the Taliban to ensure that the laws on media and access to information, as well as measures against defamation and misinformation, meet international human rights standards on protecting the right of freedom of expression, with guarantee of an independent media sector.

It also stated that experts, media outlets, media support organisations and other relevant stakeholders should be consulted and involved in the drafting of laws affecting the media sector.

It also sought lifting of restrictive and discriminatory measures against female journalists and media workers and asked the Taliban to take steps to improve safety and security of journalists and media workers in performing their work, and to ensure they have access to information without fear of reprisal or attack.

It also asked the international community to continue advocacy with the Taliban on the importance of freedom of expression and provide technical and financial support to the media sector in Afghanistan.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the findings of the report are very concerning, and called on the de facto authorities to bring its measures into line with Afghanistan’s commitments under international law, including the cornerstone International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.