Kabul, November 2, 2021 - The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists by highlighting the alarming number of media workers killed in Afghanistan this year.
Tragically, at least nine journalists have lost their lives in 2021, with almost complete impunity for these heinous crimes. This wave of repression has also given rise to numerous other violations against press freedom in the country.
In addition to the targeted killings, reports of arrests, equipment confiscation, threats, and even torture and beatings of journalists have surged since the Taliban assumed power in mid-August. The AFJC press freedom tracker has documented the deaths of eight journalists and media workers, including five women, in 2021. These unjust acts continue to pose grave risks to journalists, while the perpetrators enjoy near-total impunity for their actions.
According to AFJC data, a staggering 127 journalists and media workers, including 20 women, have been killed in Afghanistan since 2001. The persistent killing of journalists and media workers remains a pressing concern for the media community in Afghanistan. Regrettably, the majority of these cases have seen little to no justice. Out of the 127 recorded killings over the past two decades, only 18% have been processed and concluded at primary or appeal courts, with a final verdict being issued in just six cases.
Since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, half of media outlets have shut down or are operating under severe limitations due to security concerns, financial constraints, or uncertainty surrounding their future under Taliban rule. Moreover, hundreds of media workers have been forced to leave Afghanistan, leaving those who remain to operate under an atmosphere of fear and terror. The Taliban's oppressive behavior toward the free press heightens the risks faced by journalists on a daily basis.
The Afghanistan Journalists Center urgently calls on the Taliban to honor their commitments, refrain from pressuring the media, and ensure the protection of journalists. It is imperative that decisive action be taken to eliminate the culture of impunity for crimes against journalists and safeguard the freedom of the press.