Latest news with #UNAMA
LBCI
05-06-2025
- LBCI
Afghan women UN staff forced to work from home after threats
Afghan women working for the United Nations in Kabul have been threatened by unidentified men because of their jobs, the organization and several women told AFP on Thursday. Multiple women working for various UN agencies told AFP on condition of anonymity they had been threatened on the street and over the phone by men warning them to "stay home". UN staffer Huda -- not her real name -- said that for weeks she has been bombarded with messages abusing her for "working with foreigners". "The messages keep coming and they are always harassing us... saying, 'Don't let me see you again, or else'," the young woman told AFP. She said her office had advised her to work from home until further notice. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that UN staff had been threatened. "Several United Nations female national staff members in the Afghan capital Kabul have been subjected to threats by unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN," it said in a statement. AFP
Arab News
05-06-2025
- Health
- Arab News
Afghan women UN staff forced to work from home after threats
UNAMA confirmed that UN staff had been threatened'Several United Nations female national staff members in the Afghan capital Kabul have been subjected to threats,' it saidKABUL: Afghan women working for the United Nations in Kabul have been threatened by unidentified men because of their jobs, the organization and several women told AFP on women working for various UN agencies told AFP on condition of anonymity they had been threatened on the street and over the phone by men warning them to 'stay home.'UN staffer Huda — not her real name — said that for weeks she has been bombarded with messages abusing her for 'working with foreigners.''The messages keep coming and they are always harassing us... saying, 'Don't let me see you again, or else',' the young woman told said her office had advised her to work from home until further United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that UN staff had been threatened.'Several United Nations female national staff members in the Afghan capital Kabul have been subjected to threats by unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN,' it said in a the threats 'extremely serious,' the UN has taken 'interim' measures 'to ensure the safety and security of staff members,' it Taliban government, accused by the UN of imposing a 'gender apartheid' against women since returning to power in 2021, has denied any ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said such threats were a 'crime' and that police would take said the authorities had opened an seizing power in 2021, the Taliban authorities have severely restricted Afghan women from working and it is the only country in the world where women are banned from education beyond primary government in 2022 banned women from working for domestic and international NGOs, which was extended to include the UN's offices in the country the following policy has some exceptions including for women working in health care and education, and has not been consistently UN has previously called the policy 'deeply discriminatory.'Selsela, in her 30s, said while returning from the office last week she was approached by unknown men who told her she should be 'ashamed' and that she must 'stay home.''They said, 'We told you nicely this time, but next time you'll have another thing coming',' she told AFP.'I was very scared,' she said, explaining how she struggles to work efficiently from home in a country where electricity and Internet are unreliable.'The situation for women is getting worse every day.'Another woman, Rahila, said she and two other women colleagues were stopped by men while traveling home in a UN vehicle and told not to go to the office anymore.'They said, 'Don't you know that you are not allowed?',' Rahila said, adding that she has also received threatening messages from unknown numbers.'I am very worried, I need my job and my salary,' she of Afghanistan's population of some 45 million people struggle to meet their daily needs, according to the UN, with the country facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
France 24
05-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Afghan women UN staff forced to work from home after threats
Multiple women working for various UN agencies told AFP on condition of anonymity they had been threatened on the street and over the phone by men warning them to "stay home". UN staffer Huda -- not her real name -- said that for weeks she has been bombarded with messages abusing her for "working with foreigners". "The messages keep coming and they are always harassing us... saying, 'Don't let me see you again, or else'," the young woman told AFP. She said her office had advised her to work from home until further notice. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that UN staff had been threatened. "Several United Nations female national staff members in the Afghan capital Kabul have been subjected to threats by unidentified individuals related to their work with the UN," it said in a statement. Considering the threats "extremely serious", the UN has taken "interim" measures "to ensure the safety and security of staff members", it added. The Taliban government, accused by the UN of imposing a "gender apartheid" against women since returning to power in 2021, has denied any involvement. Interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani said such threats were a "crime" and that police would take action. UNAMA said the authorities had opened an investigation. 'You are not allowed' Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban authorities have severely restricted Afghan women from working and it is the only country in the world where women are banned from education beyond primary school. The government in 2022 banned women from working for domestic and international NGOs, which was extended to include the UN's offices in the country the following year. The policy has some exceptions including for women working in healthcare and education, and has not been consistently enforced. The UN has previously called the policy "deeply discriminatory". Selsela, in her 30s, said while returning from the office last week she was approached by unknown men who told her she should be "ashamed" and that she must "stay home". "They said, 'We told you nicely this time, but next time you'll have another thing coming'," she told AFP. "I was very scared," she said, explaining how she struggles to work efficiently from home in a country where electricity and internet are unreliable. "The situation for women is getting worse every day." Another woman, Rahila, said she and two other women colleagues were stopped by men while travelling home in a UN vehicle and told not to go to the office anymore. "They said, 'Don't you know that you are not allowed?'," Rahila said, adding that she has also received threatening messages from unknown numbers. "I am very worried, I need my job and my salary," she said. Three-quarters of Afghanistan's population of some 45 million people struggle to meet their daily needs, according to the UN, with the country facing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rights under constant attack in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan
AI image Amid many other global crises, the human rights situation in Afghanistan has been overshadowed in the international media. Millions of people continue to suffer from systemic rights violations under the Taliban-run government, a UN report has found. Tasked with assisting the people of Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) monitors the human rights situation in the country, issuing regular reports. In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, UNAMA not only documented cases of gender-based violence and public floggings but also the growing persecution of the Ismaili community. Ismailism is a branch of Shia Islam, while Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Afghanistan. Most members of the Ismaili community live in the country's northern provinces, such as Badakhshan or Baghlan. In the former, there have been at least 50 cases of members of the Ismaili community being forced to convert to the Sunni faith. Those who refused to do so were subjected to physical assaults, coercion and death threats. "They are only accepted as Muslims if they profess the Sunni faith by force," Yaqub Yasna, a professor and member of the Afghan Ismaili community, told DW. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo Yasna himself was accused of blasphemy after the Taliban takeover of 2021 because he advocated enlightenment and tolerance in society. He was forced to step down from his position at his university and went into exile for fear of reprisals. Breeding ground for violence Yasna said that even before the Taliban's return to power, tolerance toward the Ismaili minority in Afghanistan was limited but that the political system had at least protected their civil rights. He said that under the Taliban, tolerance had continued to decline steadily. "When their rights are violated today, they don't know who they can turn to. Their children are forced to profess the Sunni faith," he explained. "Under Taliban rule, only one faith is considered legitimate. Anything that deviates from their interpretation of Islam is rejected and thus creates a breeding ground for violence against religious minorities. " Afghan human rights activist Abdullah Ahmadi confirmed there was increasing pressure on one of the last remaining religious minorities in Afghanistan. "We have received several reports showing that children from the Ismaili community are being forced to attend Sunni-run religious schools. If they refuse to do so, or do not attend classes regularly, their families have to pay heavy fines," he said. Ahmadi complained that the international community had responded only hesitantly to the human rights violations in his country. He called for targeted sanctions against Taliban officials, saying they "must be held accountable." Nowruz holiday declared 'un-Islamic' Historically, the country was a significant center of religious diversity, but there are very few members of non-Muslim communities left in Afghanistan today. The last members of the Jewish community left the country in September 2021. Those Christians who still live there tend to practice their faith in secret. And the Hazaras, another ethnic minority in Afghanistan who are predominantly Shiite, continue to be persecuted. The Taliban only accept one interpretation of religion and have banned certain rituals and festivals, including Nowruz, which marks the beginning of spring and a new year. They declared the holiday "un-Islamic" and said that nobody in Afghanistan should observe the celebration. Women's rights in decline The situation of all women is also getting worse, which means that half of society is subject to systematic oppression. According to the UNAMA report, girls continue to be "barred from participating in education beyond grade six" and there has been "no announcement made by the de facto authorities regarding the reopening of high schools and universities to girls and women." In the western city of Herat, the Taliban has confiscated several rickshaws and warned drivers not to transport women who were unaccompanied by a "mahram," a close male relative. Afghans deported from Iran Despite this disastrous situation, Afghans who fled to neighboring countries are being expelled en masse. According to the United Nations, around 110,000 people, including women and children, were forced to return in April. Large numbers of people are also being deported from Iran. "We live in fear of being deported to Afghanistan every day," Afghan journalist Marzia Rahimi told DW. "What am I supposed to do with my children there?" Rahimi said that only misery and terror awaited her in Afghanistan if she returned, explaining that she had left because she was unable to continue working as a journalist under Taliban rule and would not have been able to provide her daughter with an education. Most independent media outlets have been banned or placed under the control of the state. Journalists who criticize the regime risk being arrested and tortured. Under the Taliban, the country has also been plunged into an even more catastrophic socioeconomic crisis. Some 64% of the population of 41.5 million lives in poverty, according to the UN, with 50% dependent on humanitarian aid for survival and 14% suffering from acute hunger.
DW
18-05-2025
- Politics
- DW
Rights under constant attack in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan – DW – 05/18/2025
A UN report has found that the rights of religious and ethnic minorities, as well as all women, are under constant attack by the Taliban authorities. Amid many other global crises, the human rights situation in Afghanistan has been overshadowed in the international media. Millions of people continue to suffer from systemic rights violations under the Taliban-run government, a UN report has found. Tasked with assisting the people of Afghanistan, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) monitors the human rights situation in the country, issuing regular reports. In its latest update on the human rights situation in Afghanistan , UNAMA not only documented cases of gender-based violence and public floggings, but also the growing persecution of the Ismaili community. Ismailism is a branch of Shia Islam, while Sunni Islam is the dominant religion in Afghanistan. Most members of the Ismaili community live in the country's northern provinces, such as Badakhshan or Baghlan. In the former, there have been at least 50 cases of members of the Ismaili community being forced to convert to the Sunni faith. Those who refused to do so were subjected to physical assaults, coercion and death threats. "They are only accepted as Muslims if they profess the Sunni faith by force," Yaqub Yasna, a professor and member of the Afghan Ismaili community, told DW. Yasna himself was accused of blasphemy after the Taliban takeover of 2021 because he advocated enlightenment and tolerance in society. He was forced to step down from his position at his university and went into exile for fear of reprisals. 'Breeding ground for violence' Yasna said that even before the Taliban's return to power, tolerance toward the Ismaili minority in Afghanistan was limited but that the political system had at least protected their civil rights. He said that under the Taliban, tolerance had continued to decline steadily. "When their rights are violated today, they don't know who they can turn to. Their children are forced to profess the Sunni faith," he explained. "Under Taliban rule, only one faith is considered legitimate. Anything that deviates from their interpretation of Islam is rejected and thus creates a breeding ground for violence against religious minorities." Life for girls and women is becoming increasingly difficult in Afghanistan Image: OMER ABRAR/AFP Afghan human rights activist Abdullah Ahmadi confirmed there was increasing pressure on one of the last remaining religious minorities in Afghanistan. "We have received several reports showing that children from the Ismaili community are being forced to attend Sunni-run religious schools. If they refuse to do so, or do not attend classes regularly, their families have to pay heavy fines," he said. Ahmadi complained that the international community had responded only hesitantly to the human rights violations in his country. He called for targeted sanctions against Taliban officials, saying they "must be held accountable." Nowruz holiday declared 'un-Islamic' Historically, the country was a significant center of religious diversity, but there are very few members of non-Muslim communities left in Afghanistan today. The last members of the Jewish community left the country in September 2021. Those Christians who still live there tend to practice their faith in secret. And the Hazaras, another ethnic minority in Afghanistan who are predominantly Shiite, continue to be persecuted. The Taliban only accept one interpretation of religion and have banned certain rituals and festivals, including Nowruz, which marks the beginning of spring and a new year. They declared the holiday "un-Islamic" and said that nobody in Afghanistan should observe the celebration. Afghan girls are not allowed to attend secondary school Image: Ahmad Sahel Arman/AFP/Getty Images Women's rights in decline The situation of all women is also getting worse, which means that half of society is subject to systematic oppression. According to the UNAMA report, girls continue to be "barred from participating in education beyond grade six" and there has been "no announcement made by the de facto authorities regarding the reopening of high schools and universities to girls and women." In the western city of Herat, the Taliban has confiscated several rickshaws and warned drivers not to transport women who were unaccompanied by a "mahram," a close male relative. Hopes for safety in Germany are fading for Afghan refugees To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Afghans deported from Pakistan, Iran Despite this disastrous situation, Afghans who fled to neighboring countries are being expelled en masse. According to the United Nations, around 110,000 people, including women and children, were forced to return from Pakistan in April. Large numbers of people are also being deported from Iran. "We live in fear of being deported to Afghanistan every day," Afghan journalist Marzia Rahimi told DW. "What am I supposed to do with my children there?" Rahimi said that only misery and terror awaited her in Afghanistan if she returned, explaining that she had left because she was unable to continue working as a journalist under Taliban rule and would not have been able to provide her daughter with an education. Most independent media outlets have been banned or placed under the control of the state. Journalists who criticize the regime risk being arrested and tortured. Under the Taliban, the country has also been plunged into an even more catastrophic socioeconomic crisis. Some 64% of the population of 41.5 million lives in poverty, according to the UN, with 50% dependent on humanitarian aid for survival and 14% suffering from acute hunger. This article was originally written in German.
