Taliban release two detained UN staff members in Afghanistan

The two men, detained in the western city of Herat on August 9, were released on Thursday morning and appear to be in good health, says the UN.

In Afghanistan, Taliban officials have ordered the release of two United Nations staff members who were previously detained since early last week.

Their capture occurred in the western provincial city of Herat on August 9, and the two individuals emerged from custody on Thursday morning, having been found in fairly robust condition.

While UNAMA highlighted that formal notification regarding the motives for their arrest had not been received from de facto authorities, the organization continued to pursue dialogue with the governing body to clarify the situation and to guarantee the preservation of UN privileges, immunities, and the uninterrupted movement of personnel across the country.

This incident follows a broader wave of detentions by Taliban forces, including remarks that six associates of a local women’s and childhood advocacy group had undergone extended unlawful disappearances during the preceding week.

Afghanian authorities remained silent on the matter when contacted, offering no immediate comments.

Multinational United Nations agencies continue to operate throughout Afghanistan, delivering essential health and humanitarian support amidst severe reductions of external funding and mounting demographic shifts, including the exodus of many residents toward Iran and Pakistan.

Since seizing control in August 2021, the militant regime imposed stringent prohibitions on educational enrollment for females beyond elementary schooling and barred women’s participation in most professions, subsequently marginalising girls from public institutions and restricting their personal freedoms through punitive legislation targeting domestic abuse unless visible physical trauma exists.

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