Afghan journalists film at the site of a bombing attack in Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021. © 2021 AP Photo/Rahmat Gul
November 2, 2024
Kabul – The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) marks the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists by bringing attention to the alarming toll of violence against media professionals in Afghanistan. Over the past two decades, more than 120 journalists and media workers have been killed in connection with their work, yet a culture of impunity has allowed the vast majority of these cases to go unresolved.
According to AFJC findings, at least 128 journalists and media workers, including 20 women, have lost their lives in Afghanistan since 2001. Disturbingly, in nine out of ten cases, the perpetrators remain at large. The situation has been exacerbated by unprecedented restrictions on media and journalists, particularly since the Taliban's takeover on August 15, 2021.
In the last three years, AFJC has documented at least 447 incidents of rights violations against journalists, including three deaths, numerous threats, acts of violence, and over 220 cases of arbitrary arrests. This escalating trend of repression poses a serious threat to the fundamental principles of free expression and public discourse in Afghanistan.
AFJC asserts that the prevailing culture of impunity, coupled with increasing threats and constraints on journalists, will have dire consequences for Afghan society and its development. On this day, we call upon the Taliban authorities to take decisive action to ensure accountability for crimes against journalists, to cease all repressive measures against media personnel, and to revoke regulations that unduly limit media freedom.
AFJC remains dedicated to advocating for the safety and rights of journalists in Afghanistan and urges the international community to support these critical efforts. Upholding the rights of journalists is essential for fostering an informed and democratic society.