The head of Herat Women’s Prison, Alia Azizi, is reportedly alive and in the custody of the Taliban. A group of Afghan women’s rights activists has called for her release in a statement.
In the statement published today (Sunday, December 4th) by female protesters, it is stated that Alia Azizi is alive and in Taliban custody.
Earlier, an independent source had confirmed to Hasht-e Subh that Alia Azizi had contacted her family, saying that she was alive and had been severely tortured in one of the Taliban prisons.
In the statement, all countries, agencies, human rights bodies and groups working under the United Nations for Afghanistan are requested to provide the necessary preparations for the release of Alia Azizi, Zarifa Yaqubi, Elaha Delawarzai and other women as soon as possible.
Women’s rights activists have also criticized the ineffective functions of western countries’ special envoys and human rights organizations for Afghanistan. The statement asks them to step down from their positions.
According to the women who published the statement, these people have delayed in pursuing the cases and rescuing women such as Alia Azizi, Elahe Delawarzai and Zarifa Yaqubi during their one and a half year mission.
Meanwhile, UNAMA yesterday demanded the immediate release of Zarifa Yaqubi and other women protestors from the Taliban.
