Zakira

 Name: ZakiraOccupation: Women's Rights ActivistDate of Birth: 1977 Date of Assassination: May 3, 2010Place of Assassination: Qalat city, Zabul provincePerson/Group Responsible for Assassination: Taliban Life and Education:Zakira, originally from Baghlan province, moved to Zabul in 2008. She was an activist for women's right to education and had made significant contributions in this field. Zakira completed her high school education in Kabul and, ten years later, began studying Pashto literature at the Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan Teacher Training College, where she earned her degree. According to the 8am newspaper, on May 3, 2010, Zakira was beheaded by unknown individuals in the "Kharwarian" area of Qalat city, and her body was found by the police the next morning beside the road.Activities:Zakira was an enlightened woman who fought for women's right to education. According to Basira, a former employee of the Zabul Directorate of Women's Affairs, Zakira even had to struggle with her husband and sons to send her daughter Zakiya to school. Zakiya, Zakira's daughter, says her mother solely worked for the education of women. She established 33 literacy courses for women and actively participated in educational awareness programs. Her last job was with the Independent Election Commission, where she worked in the voter registration card distribution department as a public awareness employee in Zabul.  To read more please also see the PDF.  Profile (PDF)

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Nematullah Rawan

 Name: Nematullah RawanOccupation: Journalist and Press Officer, Ministry of FinanceDate of Birth: 1981Date of Assassination: May 6, 2021Place of Assassination: Kandahar ProvincePerson/Group Responsible for Assassination: Unknown GroupLife and Education:Nematullah Rawan, originally from Shahjoy district in Zabul province, was born in 1981. He was actively involved in civil society activities for many years, frequently engaging with the youth of Zabul and Kandahar in various programs. Due to his deep interest in journalism and a desire to shed light on the situation in Kandahar, he pursued a career in this field. Rawan had traveled to Kandahar city to obtain his educational documents when he was assassinated by unknown assailants in the city’s 14th district. He was 28 years old at the time he was assassinated. He is survived by one child.Activities:Rawan worked for four years as a presenter and journalist at Tolo, Tolo News, and Lemar TV. Shortly before his assassination, he was appointed as the Press Officer for the Ministry of Finance. He was deeply involved in civil society activities at both local and national levels. He also participated in numerous conferences, seminars, and programs focused on human rights and civil issues.  To read more please also see the PDF.  Profile (PDF)

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HRD+ Statement the Collective Deportation of Afghan Refugees from Germany to Afghanistan

Recently, some criminals have carried out terrorist attacks against the police and German citizens, leaving harmful impacts on the political and social atmosphere of the country. Some of these lawless and criminal individuals, who have attacked, injured, or killed innocent people, are Afghan citizens who, due to difficult conditions, left their country and sought asylum in Germany. However, these individuals, without adhering to German law, culture, and social ethics, have committed such crimes, which are undoubtedly subject to legal prosecution. Unfortunately, as a result of these shocking incidents, xenophobia and anti-immigrant sentiment have spread in Germany, influencing the country's policymakers. Recently, the German government has begun deporting groups of Afghan refugees, forcibly returning those with criminal and legal records to Afghanistan. This approach has also led some other European countries, such as Austria, to emulate Germany, resulting in the expansion of the policy of deporting Afghan refugees and migrants across Europe. The HRD+ has closely monitored the situation and declares: Individual Responsibility for Crimes: Since crime is considered an individual and personal act, the individual crimes of people should not be generalized to other asylum and migration cases. From a criminological perspective, a crime represents the actions of a legal or natural person and requires legal consequences and accountability. No one else, except the criminal individuals, is obligated to pay penalties or face punishment. Therefore, based on the principles of the rule of law, transparency, justice, and accountability must be applied according to individual responsibility before the law, and the outcome of a crime or its punishment should not be extended to innocent individuals. Review of Criminal Cases: The examination of criminals' cases by specialized groups should occur within the scope of access to justice, and the identities of the criminals should be considered confidential. This will allow…

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Aliyas Dayee

Name: Aliyas DayeeOccupation: Journalist and Civil ActivistDate of Birth: November 8, 1984Date of Assassination: November 12, 2020Place of Assassination: Helmand ProvincePerson/Group Responsible for Assassination: Unknown Group Life and Education:Aliyas Dayee, a dedicated journalist who studied in this field and was recognized by his peers as a "Fearless Journalist” was born in Helmand province. Alongside his work with media outlets such as Radio Azadi, Dayee was also involved in civil activism. He gained a strong reputation both in the media and among the public. On November 12, 2020, while on his way to work, a magnetic bomb attached to his car detonated, resulting in his assassination. He is survived by a daughter.Activities:Beyond his journalism work at Radio Azadi and other local media, Aliyas Dayee was committed to civil activism, particularly in encouraging youth, especially girls, to pursue education, sports, and media careers. He worked closely with young people, helping them participate in local and national conferences and workshops.  To read more please also see the PDF.  Profile (PDF)

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HRD+ Statement Regarding the Travel Ban of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan

21 August 2024Recently, the de facto administration has announced a travel ban on Mr. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, preventing him from continuing his visits to the country. This irresponsible action has caused deep concern among all human rights defenders and civil society activists in Afghanistan. Human Rights Defenders Plus (HRD+) strongly condemns this decision by the de facto administration and declares:Mr. Bennett's mission is based on the principles and accepted norms of international law, particularly international human rights law, and has been approved by the UN Human Rights Council. The primary goal of this mission is to monitor the human rights situation, document human rights violations, and provide detailed reports on human rights in Afghanistan. Therefore, no agenda outside the scope of human rights is included in this mission, making it a valuable process.Mr. Bennett's mission in Afghanistan is expertise-driven. This mission consists of a team of human rights specialists who are not committed to any government or political entity but are directly accountable to the human rights structures of the United Nations and report accordingly.The outlook of the UN Special Rapporteur's mission on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan is to improve the human rights situation by providing constructive recommendations to both the national and international communities. States and international organizations use the Special Rapporteur's recommendations to coordinate their programs aimed at supporting human rights and defending victims.Given the challenging situation in Afghanistan, the Special Rapporteur is considered the most important mission for monitoring the human rights situation in the country. Governments are obligated to provide constructive cooperation with UN Special Rapporteurs. Therefore, the travel ban on the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan is considered contrary to the accepted principles…

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The position paper by the Human Rights Defenders (HRD+)“Three years after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.”

The people of Afghanistan have endured three years of challenging conditions involving restrictions on human rights, widespread poverty, and a lack of legitimacy and the rule of law. During this period, the de facto Taliban administration imposed a dictatorial, religious extremist rule on society and banned citizens' freedoms. The Taliban disregarded the right to political participation, a foundational citizen right, and failed to establish any mechanism for national legitimacy. This lack of national legitimacy has led to a void in international legitimacy and isolated Afghanistan from the global community.Over the past three years, our people have experienced widespread human rights abuses, with women bearing the brunt of the social crisis. Children have faced hardships in the harsh economic and social environment, while poverty and unemployment have increased. Citizens have waited in long lines to obtain passports in order to leave Afghanistan. Reports from global sources indicate that Afghanistan is currently facing a humanitarian crisis, with a significant number of citizens suffering from mental health issues and depression. Due to the restrictions on human rights, the international community has been unable to provide the necessary support to the people of Afghanistan.Over the past three years, civil society actors, human rights activists, and women's rights defenders have faced threats, torture, and imprisonment. The Taliban have not hesitated to use inhumane treatment against their opponents and critics, leaving society in complete turmoil and distress. A large number of intellectuals and experts have left the country.The HRD+, considering the inhumane actions of the Taliban in the past three years, raises the following points:First, the de facto Taliban administration is not representative of the people of Afghanistan and has been imposed on our people by force and coercion. We urge all national and international actors to pressure and impose further restrictions on the…

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Mohammad Yousuf Rasheed

 Name: Mohammad Yousuf RasheedOccupation: Head of FEFADate of Birth: 1974Date of Assassination: December 23, 2020Place of Assassination: KabulPerson/Group Responsible for Assassination: UnknownLife and Education:According to Hasht-e Subh Daily, Mohammad Yousuf Rasheed, a co-founder of FEFA (Free and Fair Election Forum of Afghanistan) and a representative of civil society organizations in Afghanistan, was assassinated at the age of 45. Born in the Kalangar area of Pul-e Alam, Logar Province, Mr. Rasheed completed his secondary education at Habibia High School and earned his bachelor's degree from the Faculty of Law and Political Science at Kabul University. He had considerable experience in research, program management, and capacity building. Additionally, he is survived by three daughters and two sons.Activities:Hasht-e Subh reports that in 2003, Mr. Rasheed worked as a senior researcher during the drafting of Afghanistan's constitution. In 2004, he, along with other civil society activists, founded FEFA. He led the programs and training department until 2008. After leaving FEFA, he joined the National Democratic Institute (NDI), where he held senior managerial roles for over five years, including four years as the head of electoral programs. In 2014, Mr. Rasheed rejoined FEFA as the Executive Director and remained in this role until he was assassinated. Since 2016, he also served as a representative of Afghan civil society organizations on the Selection Committee for Electoral Commissions.  To read more please also see the PDF.  Profile (PDF)

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Yaqub Sharafat

 Name: Yaqub SharafatOccupation: Journalist and Civil ActivistDate of Birth: January 9, 1996Date of Assassination: October 17, 2016Place of Assassination: Zabul ProvinceIndividual/Group Responsible for the Assassination: Unknown GroupLife and Education:Yaqub Sharafat was born in Zabul Province into a deeply religious family. His father was strongly opposed to the media and civil activities and was also strongly against girls attending school. Sharafat graduated from Sheikh Mati Baba High School but could not attend university due to severe economic hardships, thus failing to achieve his dream of studying journalism. However, he actively participated in short-term journalism courses and legal awareness and cultural programs.Activities:Sharafat conducted his media activities openly but had to keep his human rights work secret due to various reasons, including security concerns. As a result, his contributions to civil society in Zabul remained unrecognized and unappreciated. He was often reprimanded for publishing news related to women's rights violations and was even forced to remove some of his reports. Sharafat faced numerous challenges, including economic difficulties and threats from the Taliban and unknown individuals. He was also a prominent writer and had worked for local radio stations in Zabul. The following highlights some of Yaqub Sharafat's activities:Official journalist for Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA)Led campaigns encouraging girls to write articles and participate in radio and media programsCollaborated with the Zabul Directorate of Women's Affairs to organize legal awareness programs; successfully implemented over 27 such programs from 2013 to the end of 2015Traveled to Atghar, Shinkay, and Suri districts in Zabul to promote girls' education  To read more please also see the PDF.  Profile (PDF)

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HRD+ Statement: Increasing Restrictions on Art and Artists in Afghanistan

The military takeover by the Taliban in August 2021 marked the beginning of a tragedy for the country’s cultural and artistic community. The de facto administration has imposed numerous threats and restrictions, creating harsh living conditions through inhumane treatment, beatings, and insults. Arts such as music, sculpture, dance, theater, cinema, and painting have been banned, leading to a soulless society. Some artists have been killed, and many have been tortured and publicly humiliated. Recently, De facto authorites cut off the hand of an artist for playing the guitar and subjected him to severe physical and psychological torture, exemplifying the immense suffering inflicted on the country’s culture.Afghanistan’s cultural identity is globally recognized, having offered some of the world’s best cultural figures. Prestigious museums house valuable Afghan artworks. Music, traditional dances, sculpture, painting, and singing have deep historical roots. However, the de facto administration, driven by narrow-minded and dogmatic religious-political ideology, aims to eradicate cultural artifacts and impose extensive restrictions on cultural figures. Afghanistan’s multicultural identity, composed of historical subcultures, value-based traditions, and languages, is increasingly under threat. De facto authorites have banned Persian (Dari) terms, one of the world’s oldest languages, and removed portraits and works of great historical figures from major galleries. These actions have severely damaged the spiritual essence of the country. Koocheh Kharaabat, once the origin of music, celebrations, and praises, is now silent. Local cultures and traditional music in every province are being censored and replaced by De facto authorites’s oppressive regime. Buildings and places dedicated to cinema, theater, music performances, traditional dances, and galleries have been attacked, and their equipment destroyed. National and international fine arts departments have been removed from the education system, and the Music School and the Afghanistan Institute of Music have been closed. Civil institutions supporting culture in Afghanistan are no longer…

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HRD+ Statement on the Dire Situation of Afghan Migrants and Refugees in Iran

Recently, distressing and shocking reports about the situation of Afghan migrants and refugees in Iran has affected the morale of the people of Afghanistan and the global humanitarian community. Documented reports published by the media and refugee support organizations indicate mistreatment of homeless and wandering Afghan migrants in Iran. Statements issued by local Iranian authorities emphasize shelter restrictions and call for the cessation of basic amenities for Afghan migrants. Additionally, people in some provinces of Iran have attacked Afghan migrants, subjecting them to physical abuse and humiliation. Credible reports and research indicate that arrests, torture, and harassment by Iranian police have been imposed on Afghan refugees and migrants, with some disappearing cases. Restrictions on employment, education, and access to health services have made life extremely difficult for Afghan migrants. These reports also state that many refugees and migrants suffer from depression and mental health issues. Afghan migrants detained in Iranian detention centers and prisons lack basic justice and access to information. Employment restrictions have led to high unemployment and uncertainty among Afghan migrants, resulting in widespread poverty among their families. Discrimination against Afghan migrants is widespread in all aspects of life for millions of migrants.Findings of the Human Rights Defenders Plus (HRD+) shows that a large number of refugees fled to Iran after the fall of the Republic to save their lives. Reports from the United Nations and human rights organizations indicate that many former government soldiers, human rights defenders, government employees, and ethnic-religious minorities have been tortured and harassed by the de facto Taliban administration, with some losing their lives. Therefore, individuals at serious risk have considered seeking asylum as the only option to ensure their safety and that of their families, and have sought refuge in Iran. Based on the 1951 Refugee Convention, the International Covenant…

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