News Center-The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has released a report stating that crimes against journalists are rising in Afghanistan.

The report also stated that the UNAMA has recorded the human rights abuse of more than 200 journalists in the country since August 2021. Journalists in the country have been victims of arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation and face restrictions in accessing vital information.  

“The media in Afghanistan is in peril”

On Wednesday, the UNAMA tweeted, “Record high numbers include arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation. Media in Afghanistan is in peril. Let us all help #ProtectJournalists #EndImpunity.”

The crackdown against journalists

Journalists in Afghanistan face restrictions while covering security events along with access to information. The Taliban have been revoking the efforts on gender equality and freedom of speech in the country and the crime rates in the country have been rising ever since the takeover. Women journalists have disappeared completely from the media landscape in 11 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, Badghis, Helmand, Daikundi, Ghazni, Wardak, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktia, Samangan, and Zabol. Of the 2,756 women journalists and media workers employed in Afghanistan prior to 15 August 2021, only 656 are still working.