The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) has condemned the Taliban’s suspension of the activities of Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) and the detention of several employees of the media outlet, calling for their release.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 30, the organization said that detaining journalists and media workers and restricting the activities of media outlets limits people’s access to information and freedom of expression.
The organization called on the Taliban to release the detained employees of AVA and provide clear information about their condition and whereabouts.
The journalists’ support organization added that suspending the activities of a news agency and detaining journalists and media workers is not merely an action against a media institution. Such actions are another example of growing restrictions on the free operation of media outlets, access to information and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
The Afghanistan Media Support Organization also called on the United Nations, human rights institutions and organizations defending freedom of expression to follow up on the situation of detained journalists and media workers in Afghanistan.
The Taliban suspended the activities of AVA’s office in western Kabul last Thursday and detained several employees of the media outlet, transferring them to an undisclosed location.
So far, no clear information has been provided about the fate, whereabouts, or legal grounds for the detention of these individuals.
