April 22, 2025
Bamian, Kunduz — The de facto authorities of the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have extended their ban on publishing images of living beings to include Bamyan and Kunduz provinces, bringing the total number of affected provinces to 15 across the country. The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) expresses deep concern over this restrictive measure, highlighting its detrimental impact on media operations and public access to information.
In Bamyan, the de facto department of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice issued an official directive stating that, as of April 18, 2025, following a meeting chaired by the de facto governor, Mawlawi Abdullah Sarhadi, and attended by local officials, the taking and broadcasting of images of living beings will be prohibited in accordance with Clause 3, Article 17 of the law of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
A copy of the letter obtained by AFJC instructs local de facto departments that they are no longer permitted to photograph programs or meetings under any circumstances, and individuals are explicitly prohibited from doing so. The directive clearly states that any violations will result in legal action against offenders.
Similarly, on April 15, 2025, the de facto department of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Kunduz issued a formal letter to the de facto provincial governor, citing the same law as the basis for the ban. A copy of this directive, obtained by AFJC, is signed by Abdulhakim Haghmal, the head of the department, and urges all provincial departments to uphold this directive.
A media director and a journalist, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, confirmed to AFJC that local media outlets have also been verbally instructed by authorities to enforce the ban.
Since the law’s enactment in August 2024, the restriction has been implemented in 13 provinces, including Kandahar, Takhar, Badghis, Helmand, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Farah, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Nimruz, Jawzjan, Zabul, and Parwan. While some regions have experienced minor relaxations, sources in Kabul indicate that Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the de facto leader, continues to insist on strict enforcement nationwide.
AFJC condemns the expansion of this ban to Bamyan and Kunduz, asserting that such restrictions violate principles of freedom of expression, access to information, and Afghanistan's media law. These measures threaten the operation of independent media, leading to closures and significant job losses for journalists.
AFJC calls on the de facto authorities in Kandahar and the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice to revoke the ban on publishing images of living beings and to rescind directives that conflict with media law. It is essential to uphold media freedom and ensure journalists can perform their duties safely and without fear.