"Covered in Blood"... Taliban Continue Detaining and Assaulting Journalists

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Since the Islamic militant group Taliban took control of Afghanistan, there have been continuous reports of journalists being detained and assaulted locally. Observers note that the Taliban's declaration to respect the media as much as possible is turning out to be empty words.

On the 9th (local time), BBC reported that photos and videos have been posted on social media showing journalists with injuries on their backs and legs due to assaults, as well as journalists being transported to hospitals.

One journalist told BBC, "I was forcibly taken to a local police station and beaten," adding, "I was covering women's protests until then."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

He said, "They handcuffed my hands and mercilessly beat me with sticks and wires," and "I was beaten until I lost consciousness."

He added, "Later, I was in such bad condition that it was almost impossible to walk."

Another journalist told BBC, "While I was taking photos, Taliban soldiers approached, took my camera, and kicked my head," adding, "It seemed like they wanted to kill us."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

He said, "When I later asked them why they were assaulting me, they replied, 'Consider yourself lucky you were not executed.'"

There was even testimony that a teenager who was on their way to school and watching a protest was beaten until their entire body was bruised.

An American journalist was surrounded and threatened by Taliban members preparing to whip him but avoided being beaten because he was a foreigner.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an international organization related to journalists' human rights, stated, "At least 14 journalists were detained and later released in Afghanistan over the past two days," adding, "This proves that the Taliban's initial promise to guarantee freedom of the press was hollow."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

This harsh crackdown is seen as a reflection of the Taliban interim government's perception of human rights and its future stance. In particular, the repeated assaults on journalists covering women's protests are analyzed as evidence of the Taliban's views on women's rights and freedom of expression.

Previously, the Taliban announced a policy to fill the interim government exclusively with male officials.

Shortly after, the Taliban interim government declared that all protests not authorized by the government, including the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice, would be banned.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]