KABUL (Reuters) – Two journalists on assignment for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Afghan nationals who worked with them were released on Friday after being arrested earlier in the day in the capital Kabul, the government said. the UN agency.
“We are relieved to confirm the release in Kabul of the two journalists working with UNHCR, as well as that of the Afghan nationals working with them,” the UNHCR said in a statement.
UN agencies employ journalists to report on their work around the world.
Fears for the safety of opponents of the Taliban have grown since the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and the Islamist group’s return to power last August, prompting the flight of many civil society and women’s rights activists.
No country recognizes the Taliban government, but some have stepped up humanitarian efforts to try to avert a crisis following sanctions and the cut in funding for Afghanistan’s development since the group took power.
A Taliban delegation visited Geneva this week to talk to agencies and meet with Swiss officials.
(Report from Kabul and Islamabad, written by Charlotte Greenfield; French version Valentine Baldassari, edited by Sophie Louet and Jean Terzian)
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