An Afghanistan-based nonprofit says it’s working with the U.N. to free 18 of its employees, together with a foreigner, from Taliban detention
ByThe Related Press
September 16, 2023, 4:22 AM
ISLAMABAD — An Afghanistan-based nonprofit mentioned Saturday it’s working with the United Nations and others for the swift launch of 18 staffers, together with a foreigner, detained by the Taliban.
The Worldwide Help Mission mentioned the 18 folks had been detained on two separate events this month from its workplace in central Ghor province and brought to the capital, Kabul.
Native media reported {that a} U.S. nationwide is amongst these detained and that employees members had been detained for preaching about Christianity. The nonprofit mentioned it nonetheless has no details about the character of the allegations.
“IAM has written to the Ministry of Economic system, the place we’re legally registered as a global NGO, about these extraordinarily regarding developments,” the nonprofit mentioned. “We’re additionally working with the U.N. and ACBAR, the coordinating physique for NGOs in Afghanistan, to deepen our understanding of the state of affairs and to work for the short launch of our 18 colleagues.”
The mission mentioned it values and respects Afghanistan’s customs and cultures, standing by the precept that help won’t be used to additional a “specific political or non secular” standpoint. It mentioned all its employees conform to abide by the nation’s legal guidelines.
Afghan officers weren’t instantly obtainable for touch upon the detentions.
The nonprofit mentioned two Afghan nationals and one worldwide crew member had been taken from its Ghor workplace on September 3. An additional 15 Afghan nationwide employees members had been taken from the identical workplace on September 13.
NGOs have come below better scrutiny because the Taliban seized management of the nation two years in the past. They’ve launched harsh measures, together with banning Afghan girls from schooling past sixth grade and barring them from public life and work, together with jobs at NGOs.
A U.S. watchdog reported earlier this yr that the Taliban are harassing NGOs working within the nation.