Ambassador Khaled Ahmad Zekriya had a productive meeting today with Ambassador of the Kyrgyzstan Republic, Taalay Bazarbaev on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest.
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.
Statement by the Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome Condemning Women’s and Girl’s Rights Violation in Afghanistan
The Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome, strongly condemns the continued widespread human rights violation by the illegitimate administration of the Taliban across Afghanistan, especially the recent arresting and abducting of Afghan women and girls who were demanding their rights in peaceful protests in Kabul.
The arrests and detentions are happening on charges that arise from nothing more than demanding basic Islamic and human rights and publicly criticizing an illegitimate administration that has failed to provide people with basic services. These atrocities are not only in flagrant violation of Article 36 of the constitution of Afghanistan, which guarantees its citizens the right to hold peaceful demonstrations, but also of Article 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Afghanistan is a party. The Embassy and Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome is further troubled by the Taliban’s latest rules announced on December 26, which prevents women from traveling more than 72 kilometers without a male relative.
These initial restrictions on women and girls follow the spate of recent regulations by the Taliban, which have prohibited girls from going to school, segregated classes in universities based on gender, and banned women from appearing in television dramas.
Women’s and girls’ empowerment is crucial in the Afghan society. The protection of their rights, especially the right to education, work, health, and freedom of movement and expression, must be an integral part of the process through which Afghans can achieve inclusive and sustainable peace in their country. Imposing such restrictions on women and girls, are not only revoking the legitimate and Islamic liberties that Afghan women have won through a history of struggle and activism, but it also unravels the gains made over the past two decades.
Once again, we condemn in the strongest possible terms these atrocities and violations by the Taliban to silence Afghan women and girl’s voices in the country.
Announcement
Please be informed that the Embassy & Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its consulate section in Rome, will be closed on Thursday, January 6th, 2022, due to public holiday in Italy. The Embassy and its consulate will resume services on Friday, January 7th, 2022.
L'Ambasciata della Repubblica Islamica dell'Afghanistan a Roma augura a tutte le Nazioni amiche, in particolare al Paese ospitante della Repubblica d'Italia e agli afgani residenti in Italia, un felice e prosperoso Nuovo Anno 2022. Vorremmo cogliere l'occasione per apprezzare l'amichevole e profondo legame tra la Repubblica Islamica dell'Afghanistan e la Repubblica d'Italia, e non vediamo l'ora di rafforzare queste relazioni bilaterali di lunga data e durature tra i due paesi nel 2022.
Monday, December 20th 2021
Please be informed that the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its consulate section in Rome, will be closed from Monday, 27 December 2021, until Friday, 31 December 2021. The Embassy and its consulate section will resume services on Monday, 3 January 2022.
