The Independent (UK): Speaking to The Independent in exclusive interviews, the football players, who have been in the UK since mid-November, said they are hopeful about their futures in the UK but are consumed with terror about loved ones who remain trapped in Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).
NRF Rejects Ahmad Massoud’s Visit with Taliban Foreign Minister
Massoud
8am: The National Resistance Front (NRF) has denied published reports that its leader, Ahmad Massoud, met with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. “No talks are scheduled between Ahmad Massoud and the Taliban leadership,” said Sibghatullah Ahmadi, a spokesman for (NRF) to Hasht-e Subh. Meanwhile, some local and foreign media outlets have reported that Ahmad Massoud and Ismail Khan, the former governor of Herat, are scheduled to meet with Amir Khan Muttaqi in Iran. Click here to read more (external link).
Tolo News in Dari – January 9, 2022
Afghanistan’s embassy to act within limits of 1961 Vienna Convention: Iran Foreign Ministry spokesman
Press TV
January 9, 2022
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman has reacted to certain reports about future diplomatic activities of Afghanistan’s embassy in Tehran, specifying that the country’s mission will only act within the constraints of the 1961 Vienna Convention.
Speaking on Sunday, Saeed Khatibzadeh responded to reports carried by certain media outlets alleging that the Iranian government is planning to hand over the Afghan embassy in Tehran to the Taliban.
“The diplomatic activities of the Afghan embassy in Tehran, like all foreign embassies, fall within the framework of the principles and rules defined by the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, and no developments are possible to take place outside [the convention’s stipulations],” Khatibzadeh said.
A day earlier, the Taliban foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, arrived in Tehran while heading a high-ranking delegation to hold talks with Iranian officials in a first such trip since the group seized power.
Also on Sunday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement, noting that economic cooperation between the two countries was top on the agenda of talks with the Afghan delegation, which comprised of the caretakers of Afghan ministries of economy, industry, and trade as well as the deputies of several ministries.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has constantly emphasized the need to maintain economic and trade relations between the two countries in the best interests of the people of the neighboring country (Afghanistan), especially in the current situation,” the ministry’s statement added.
It said during the trip, agreements were reached on various economic and trade issues such as banking cooperation, cross-border markets, mining, trade, and sports cooperation.
The Taliban took control of the Afghan government in mid-August last year, in the midst of the United States’ hasty, reckless withdrawal of its forces from the country.
Since the takeover, Iran has consistently highlighted the importance of the establishment of peace and stability in Afghanistan through the formation of an inclusive government in the war-ravaged country.
Tehran has also called for a boost to international humanitarian efforts for Afghanistan, saying the “very small” volume of international aid for Afghan refugees does not help much.
The US military led the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, in what it proselytized as a war on terror meant to eradicate the Taliban.
Violence in Recent Years Has Closed 50 Kunduz Schools
Tolo News: At least 50 schools have closed in recent years amid severe conflict in the northern province of Kunduz. The head of the provincial education department, Mawlawi Ismail Abu Ahmad, said that over 30,000 students have been deprived of schooling because their classrooms were in conflict areas in clashes between the former security forces and the Islamic Emirate members. Click here to read more (external link).
Kabul Women Protested over Faizullah Jalal’s Arrest
Faizullah Jalal
8am: Today (Sunday, January 9th) women protesters chanted slogans such as “The voice of professor Jalal is the voice of the people” and demanded the release of this university professor and political expert. Meanwhile, Amnesty International also demanded his unconditional release yesterday after the Taliban arrested him. Click here to read more (external link).
Taliban Condemned for Arresting Outspoken Afghan Professor
Faizullah Jalal
Ayaz Gul
VOA News
January 8, 2022
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan on Saturday arrested an outspoken critic of the government, drawing strong calls for his immediate release from civil society activists.
Family members said Faizullah Jalal, a professor of law and political science, was seized by security forces from his residence in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
“As I confirm this disturbing news, I ask for the immediate release of my father, Professor Faizuallah Jalal,” tweeted Hasina Jalal, the daughter of the detained professor.
In a statement late Saturday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed the arrest of Jalal, accusing him of inciting people to violence against the government through his social media posts.
Afghan television channels quoted a security source as confirming Jalal was being interrogated by the Taliban intelligence agency for leveling allegations against government departments.
“[The] Taliban never have tolerated criticism or free speech. He should be released immediately,” Patricia Gossman, the associate Asia director for Human Rights Watch, wrote on Twitter.
“Why & based on what legal ground? Arbitrary arrests for expressing one’s views/analysis is counterproductive & a step in the wrong direction … in any society,” Omar Samad, former Afghan diplomat and senior fellow at Washington’s Atlantic Council asked in his tweeted reaction.
“Amnesty International condemns the arrest of Professor Faizullah Jalal, Kabul university lecturer, for exercising his freedom of expression and criticizing the Taliban on a TV show. We call on the Taliban authorities to immediately and unconditionally release him,” tweeted the global rights defender.
Rights curtailed
Critics say the Islamic group’s return to power in Afghanistan last August has resulted in increasingly curtailed freedoms of all citizens, particularly those of women and girls.
Except for those working in a few sectors, most women have been instructed to stay at home until laws and procedures related to women are put in place — more than four months after the Taliban seized control of the country. Millions of girls above grade six across many Afghan provinces are unable to attend school.
The Taliban’s ministry for Islamic guidance has instructed taxi drivers to carry only those female passengers who wear a headscarf or Islamic hijab and are accompanied by a male relative if they travel more than 72 kilometers.
The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which enforces the Taliban’s interpretation of Islam, has banned Afghan women from driving and has ordered local TV channels to stop showing entertainment programs featuring actresses. Women television news anchors are required to wear hijabs while on the air.
This week, the ministry spokesman confirmed they had placed posters on cafes and shops around Kabul instructing women to wear hijabs.
“If someone does not follow it, it does not mean she will be punished or beaten, it’s just encouragement for Muslim women to follow Sharia law,” Sadeq Akif Muhajir told Agence France-Presse Friday.
The United States and allied nations withdrew their remaining troops from Afghanistan on August 30, and the Taliban have since consolidated their control of the country. The international community has refused to recognize the new Kabul government until the Taliban ensure respect for the human rights of all Afghans and allow women to fully participate in public life.
Washington has frozen billions of dollars in Afghanistan’s foreign cash reserves since the Taliban takeover, while most foreign financial assistance has been suspended, bringing the economy of the aid-dependent country to the brink of collapse.
The punitive measures have increased humanitarian needs in the South Asian nation to unprecedented levels amid United Nations warnings that estimated 24 million Afghans will need relief assistance this year, with many likely to be acutely food insecure by March. The humanitarian crisis stems from years of war, poverty and a prolonged drought.
1TV Afghanistan Dari News – January 8, 2022
90% of Health Centers Likely to Be Closed in Afghanistan
8am: Due to the crisis in Afghanistan’s health system, 90 percent of health centers are in danger of closing, according to the ICRC’s new report, released on (Friday, January 7th). Moreover, the fourth wave of Covid-19 and malnutrition are threatening the people of Afghanistan. Click here to read more (external link).
Pakistan Issues Identity Cards to More Than a Million Afghan Refugees
Lisa Schlein
VOA News
January 8, 2022
GENEVA — Pakistan has concluded a months-long campaign to register Afghan refugees and issue them identity cards that will protect and safeguard their interests.
The government-run campaign, supported by the U.N. refugee agency, began in mid-April. The registration drive has updated the data of some 1.4 million Afghan refugees. This is the first large-scale effort to verify the status of refugees in Pakistan in the last 10 years.
UNHCR spokesman, Babar Baloch says the refugees are given so-called smart identity cards that legitimize their status and facilitate their access to humanitarian aid and other benefits.
“The new identity cards are an essential protection tool for Afghan refugees and give them the faster and safer access to health and education facilities and to financial services as well,” Baloch said. “This drive also provided an opportunity for Afghan refugees to flag any specific protection needs for vulnerabilities.”
The UNHCR reports more than 300,000 Afghans have fled to Pakistan since the Taliban took over their country in August. Their situation is precarious as most have entered the country illegally and may be liable for deportation.
The United Nations warns Afghanistan is becoming one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. It notes 24.4 million people, more than half of the population, need life-saving humanitarian assistance. It says more than 9 million Afghans are displaced within the country, with little prospect of returning soon to the homes they fled.
Baloch says more than 40 verification sites were set up across Pakistan during the registration drive last year. He says mobile registration vans sought out Afghan refugees living in remote areas.
He says a mass information campaign also was carried out to explain the purpose of the campaign to Afghan refugees. He says this effort has paid off with large numbers participating.
“Among them, there were 200,000 children under the age of five who were registered by their refugee parents,” Baloch said. “More than 700,000 new smart identity cards have also been issued to date. The remaining cards will be printed and distributed in early 2022. These cards are valid until 30th of June 2023.”
Baloch says the campaign is part of a wider effort to assist and protect Afghan refugees. Gathering more detailed information about the refugees, he says will enable the government and aid agencies to better tailor assistance to them.
In addition, he says it will facilitate support for those refugees who decide to return home, when conditions in Afghanistan allow.