Dear AFJC,
As the Minister of Information and Culture, I would like to express my support for your organization and its efforts to promote and uphold the rights of journalists in Afghanistan. I understand that your work overlaps with the responsibilities of our ministry, and I want to assure you that we are committed to working together with you to achieve our common goals. Under my administration, the Ministry of Information and Culture has consistently supported journalists and protected freedom of expression. We have intervened on behalf of many journalists to prevent them from facing unjust trials and imprisonment. In some cases, I have personally accompanied writers to court to ensure their safety and fair treatment. I made a promise at the recent Seminar on Media to protect and defend journalists, but I also urged them to exercise caution and avoid careless mistakes that could put their safety and well-being at risk. Our ministry has worked hard to solve the problems facing writers and journalists as much as we can. I am confident that the Afghanistan Journalists Center understands the close relationship we share and the importance of continued collaboration. Please know that you can rely on the sincere cooperation of the Ministry of Information and Culture in the future as we work together towards a safer and more free media environment in Afghanistan.
Best regards,
Dr Sayed Makhdoom Rahin
Minister of Information and Culture
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
July 19, 2010