New York: Human Rights Defenders in Afghanistan have reported that they now have a “fear climate”, threats, and became increasingly desperate for the conditions in the country, a UN expert independent on Wednesday.
Stating that “the threat was very real”, defenders, called for an urgent coordinated response from the international community.
“Defenders told me about direct threats, including gender threats against women, beatings, arrests, forced disappearances, and defenders killed.
They describe life in a constant fear climate”, he said.
Those who are at risk are people who document alleged war crimes, women, in certain criminal lawyers, cultural rights defenders, especially those who work in sectors that are prohibited such as music performances, and others from minority groups.
Some tell Lawlor that they have deleted their online data history to avoid identification, and that the Taliban used another way to find it.
One of them, for example, was identified by injury to his leg.
According to him, the Taliban has raided the human rights office and civil society organization, looking for names, addresses and contacts.
“Many famous defenders in their local community, especially in rural areas, and have gone for city anonymity, but even there, they are forced to constantly change locations,” UN experts said.
“Most have also lost their sources of income, limiting their choices to find safety.” Lawlor calls for direct international support, including urgent plans for their high-risk evacuation, along with their families.
He also said these were people who had struggled for 20 years to advance human rights in this country.
“Many say they feel abandoned.
Countries that have supported their work for the past two decades must do more to provide visas, travel documents, and routes to asylum for hundreds of defenders left behind and at risk.”