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April 13, 2026 – Afghanistan –
The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) has expressed serious concern over the detention and reported conditions of several journalists held by the Taliban, warning that their treatment reflects a deepening crisis for press freedom in Afghanistan. The organization says that arbitrary arrests and continued imprisonment of media workers are contributing to an environment of fear and severe restrictions on independent journalism.
According to AMSO, at least three journalists, including Shakib Ahmad Nazari, Bashir Hatef, and Hamid Farhadi, are currently detained in separate cases. The group reports that the psychological and physical condition of some detainees is unstable, and it has urged authorities to ensure their safety and access to proper treatment while in custody.
The organization emphasized that the journalists were reportedly performing their professional duties at the time of their arrests, and argued that their detention lacked legal justification. It described the situation as part of a broader pattern of pressure on journalists accused of violating vague or broadly interpreted regulations.
AMSO has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists, stating that their continued imprisonment violates international human rights standards and fundamental principles of freedom of expression. The organization also urged global press freedom bodies, including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without Borders, to increase pressure on the Taliban authorities.
The group further warned that authorities would be held fully responsible for any harm that may come to the detained journalists, underscoring concerns about their safety in custody. It said the lack of transparency surrounding arrests and prosecutions contributes to growing uncertainty among media professionals in the country.
Press freedom in Afghanistan has sharply declined since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with journalists facing increasing restrictions, arrests, and censorship measures. International monitoring organizations have documented hundreds of detentions and widespread constraints on reporting, particularly on political and security-related issues.
The latest appeal from AMSO adds to growing international concern over the shrinking space for independent journalism in Afghanistan, where media workers continue to operate under some of the most restrictive conditions globally.
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