Kabul, November 2, 2023 - The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) is calling on the Taliban to take decisive action to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists and media workers in the country. This appeal comes on the occasion of the commemoration of the International Day to End Impunity of Crimes Committed against journalists and the 11th anniversary of the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of journalists. The AFJC also urges the Taliban to ease limitations and restrictions on media freedom.
Today, on November 2, the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, AFJC brings attention to the troubling state of justice for press attacks in Afghanistan. Throughout the past two decades, Afghanistan has witnessed the tragic loss of numerous journalists and media workers due to deliberate attacks, organized crimes, and war-related incidents. What is particularly alarming being the persistent culture of impunity, which shields the perpetrators from being held accountable.
According to the AFJC's latest findings, a staggering 128 journalists and media workers, including 20 women, have met their unfortunate demise since 2001. However, justice has been served in less than 10% of these cases. This lack of justice has left families and the media community in a continuing state of pain and anguish.
According to initial findings from the AFJC, the Taliban has been implicated in 60 cases and ISIS in 39 cases of journalist and media worker killings. In 21 cases, unidentified individuals were involved, while personal disputes or family members were responsible for 4 cases. NATO forces were involved in 3 cases, and the pre-Taliban police were implicated in one incident.
While there are fewer women journalists among the victims of fatal attacks, they face particular risks from offline and online gender-based attacks. Journalists in the country have also faced restrictions following the Taliban takeover in August 2021. Although there has been a notable decrease in killings of journalists and media workers since the Taliban's takeover, with only three incidents reported in the past two years, which is undoubtedly positive progress, it is still disconcerting to observe the severe limitations the Taliban has imposed on media freedom in the country. Over the past two years, the AFJC has documented at least 13 directives that restrict journalists, especially women, and have negative consequences for those who do not comply. Journalists who have disregarded these orders have faced threats or imprisonment, and media organizations have been subjected to punitive measures, including temporary or permanent bans.
AFJC emphasizes the urgent need to address the prevalent culture of impunity in Afghanistan. The previous government was urged to combat this culture, and the current situation demands that justice be served in light of these grave events. Furthermore, the AFJC appeals to the Taliban leadership to take bold and decisive actions to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists and media workers and to lift restrictions on media freedom. It is crucial that journalists are able to fulfill their vital role without fear or self-censorship, and that the voices of the Afghan people are amplified and heard.