Women Start “Journalism is not a crime time” campaign when press freedom has been promoted

A coalition of protest groups for women has launched a campaign entitled “Journalism not a crime”, in which the publication of journalists from Taliban and after greater protection for freedom of the press was arbitrarily imprisoned across the country.

The campaign was made by members of the Afghanistan Women's Protest Movements Coalition, a network of activists for women's rights, many of which have participated in the efforts of Taliban rule.

The group said the initiative was a form of public interest representation that aims to defend freedom of expression and to support the remains of independent journalism in Afghanistan, in which media are exposed to severe restrictions and increasing threats.

“Conservation of journalists is an attempt to silence the truth and suppress society's conscience,” said the group in an explanation. “The Taliban are afraid of the truth, so they arrest those who try to report them.”

The coalition called for the immediate release of detained journalists and demanded that Afghan media be allowed to work freely. “The silence of journalists,” said one protester, “corresponds to the silence of a nation.”

According to a UN report, the journalists in Afghanistan have been exposed to widespread intimidation, detention and violence since the return of Taliban in August 2021.

The report documented 336 cases of threats, arbitrary arrests, abuse and legal persecution against media employees over a period of three years. Of these, 256 journalists – including 249 men and 7 women – were arrested arbitrarily, often without indictment or access to legal advisors.

In addition, the UN said that at least 130 journalists-122 men and 8 women-in were tortured or treated poorly. Another 75 journalists – 66 men and 9 women – were reportedly threatened or intimidated in connection with their work.

The report painted a dark picture of freedom of the press in Afghanistan and warned that the escalating pressure of the Taliban on journalists and media organizations created a climate of fear and censorship.

Human rights representatives say that the situation for women's journalists is particularly bad, many of whom have been excluded from the profession because Taliban -Erlass limits their public presence and encounter them from working in most sectors.

Despite the risks, women said in the protest coalition that they were determined to comment. “We stand for those who can no longer increase their voices,” said the group.