ISLAMABAD: The United Nations has confirmed that two Afghan male staff members of its mission in Afghanistan were detained by the Taliban’s intelligence agency in the western province of Herat, with the UN saying it has not been informed of any charges against them.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the two employees were detained on Sunday, August 9, by officials of the de facto General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI) in Herat.
“We confirm that two Afghan UNAMA male staff members were detained by officials of the de facto General Directorate of Intelligence on Sunday, 9 August in Herat,” the mission said in a statement.
UNAMA said it had neither been informed of the charges against the employees nor been allowed to meet them.
“UNAMA has not been informed of the charges against them, nor have we been permitted to see them,” the mission said.
The United Nations’ confirmation came after reports that the two staff members had been taken into custody by Taliban intelligence officials.
Afghanistan International, citing sources, reported that the employees worked in UNAMA’s human rights section and had recently reported on the detention of women in Herat.
The circumstances surrounding the detention and the reasons for the arrests remain unclear. No charges against the two men have been publicly disclosed.
The office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for the staff members’ special status to be respected, according to an AFP report. The Afghan authorities had not immediately responded to requests for comment.
The detentions come amid continuing international concern over restrictions imposed by Afghanistan’s de facto Taliban authorities on civil society, journalists, women and human rights activities.
The UN has repeatedly raised concerns over arbitrary detention and restrictions on civic space in Afghanistan. UNAMA has previously documented arrests and other abuses involving journalists and civil society figures under Taliban rule.
For now, the United Nations is seeking access to the two detained employees and clarification from the Afghan authorities regarding the circumstances of their detention.
The case adds to growing scrutiny of the operating environment for UN personnel and human rights workers in Afghanistan, where the interim Taliban authorities continue to exercise strict control over security and public life.
