contents
Allegations of threats and extortion cast a shadow over the evacuation of Afghan female cyclists.
They were targeted by the Taliban: women cyclists in Afghanistan. The World Cycling Federation took action, and the news went around the world: 165 female athletes were able to be evacuated from Afghanistan, 38 of them landed in Switzerland in October.
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) offered a hand for the evacuation, as it also classified the athletes as acutely endangered. “After the Taliban came to power, these women in Afghanistan are particularly exposed because of their sporting activities,” writes the SEM of the “Rundschau”.
Arbitrary selection?
Research now shows: Why certain names were on the list and others not – is highly controversial. The world cycling association UCI compiled this list together with the Afghan cycling association and experts on the scene.
Athletes, activists and journalists point out that a dubious Afghan sports official determined who was evacuated and who was not – and apparently in his favor. “If the world federation really cares about the athletes, then they should have put all female cyclists on the list,” says Reihana Mohammadi, one of the most famous riders in the country.
“I don’t care about the lists. All evacuations from the country are confusing at the moment, ”says activist Shannon Galpin, who made the 2013 documentary“ Afghan Cycles ”. “But it is precisely the World Cycling Association that has the responsibility to investigate the numerous allegations of Fazli’s harassment and harassment.”
Whoever speaks threatens to lose a license
The man’s name is Fazli Ahmad Fazli and he is president of the Afghan Cycling Federation – a Pashtun businessman who commutes between Kabul and Istanbul. The “Rundschau” has various evacuation lists. Some of them include Fazli’s family and his brother.
According to Media reports and statements from female athletes are said to have evacuated Fazli’s acquaintances who have nothing to do with cycling. “The majority on this list can’t even ride a bike,” writes a well-known athlete from the Rundschau women’s national team. Well-known and consequently endangered athletes, on the other hand, had not been taken into account by the associations. President Fazli reacts to criticism with threats and defamation. The “Rundschau” has received corresponding voice messages.
A medal for the president
The Afghan cyclists who are now in Switzerland write that they are not allowed to express themselves. Your companions outside of Switzerland informed the “Rundschau” that they had received a muzzle from the association’s president Fazli, and that he was threatening to withdraw their license. Fazli does not answer the questions of the «Rundschau».
The World Cycling Federation writes about the criticism: “We are aware that athletes have stayed in Afghanistan. We couldn’t take any more. We have already expanded the original list. ”
However, the UCI rejects the allegations that the list has been manipulated. The evacuation is about saving lives, writes the UCI of the “Rundschau”. There are rumors to denigrate the action. In September, the World Cycling Association awarded Fazli Ahmad Fazli a medal for his services, especially in women’s cycling.