Statement by the Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome Condemning the Detention of Professor Faizullah Jalal 

The Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome, strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of Dr. Faizullah Jalal, Kabul University Professor and an outspoken critic of the Taliban administration in Kabul.

The detention of Dr. Jalal is happening on charges that arise from nothing more than publicly criticizing the administration of the Taliban in Kabul. His arrest and subsequent detention marks yet another assault on the freedom of expression, and silencing any voice of critic and dissent, in continuation of outright human rights violations and abuses by the group.

Freedom of expression and media is the backbone of a democratic polity and a prime achievement of the people of Afghanistan over the past two decades gained with immense sacrifices. Wary of further exposure of the cruel nature of the group, since the illegitimate military takeover of Kabul, freedom of expression and media sustained the highest toll of pressure by the Taliban. Intimidation, harassment, torture, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances have unfortunately brought about an environment of fear and self-censorship, leaving the abuses by the Taliban un-or-underreported.

We ask for the immediate release of Dr. Jalal and putting an end to the current endemic of fear-mongering and abuses of the most basic rights and freedoms of over 30 million Afghans held captive by the group, and call on the government of Italy, the international community and the United Nations to stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, and to stress their support for the aspirations of Afghans for a peaceful, democratic and pluralistic society, in which there will be no room for sectarianism or discrimination on ethnic, religious, linguistic or any other grounds, and based on the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.