Kabul, Afghanistan – In a move that has raised concerns about religious freedom and human rights, Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have apprehended at least 18 employees of an international non-governmental organization (NGO), including an American woman. The detainees are facing accusations of carrying out Christian missionary activities, according to the country’s leadership.
The International Assistance Mission (IAM) has confirmed that its staff members were taken into custody from its office located in Ghor province, central Afghanistan, and subsequently transported to Kabul.
Abdul Wahid Hamas Ghori, a government spokesperson for the province, revealed that security and intelligence forces had been monitoring the group for some time. He stated, “Documents and audios were obtained that showed they were inviting people to join Christianity,” but did not provide further details.
In total, 21 individuals were arrested, including the American woman.
IAM issued a statement acknowledging that 18 individuals, including a “foreigner,” were currently in custody, and that the organization had not received information regarding the nature of the allegations.
The detention process began on September 3 when the American woman and two Afghan staff members were apprehended, followed by the arrest of 15 additional Afghan employees on a subsequent date.
The organization asserted, “Should any charges be lodged against our organization or any individual staff member, we will independently review any evidence presented.”
IAM, a Swiss-registered group, is founded on Christian values but states that it does not provide aid based on political or religious beliefs. They emphasize their respect for local customs and cultures.
Having operated in Afghanistan since 1966, IAM has persevered through various regimes, including royal, communist, and Taliban governments. Initially focusing on eye care, the organization expanded its efforts to encompass health and education initiatives.
In 2010, IAM faced tragedy when ten of its medical personnel, including eight foreigners, were fatally shot in a remote area of northern Afghanistan. The motive for the attack was a subject of debate at the time, with robbery being one theory proposed by the police. However, two militant groups claimed responsibility, including Taliban leaders who accused the medics of being Christian missionaries and alleged their involvement in espionage activities.
Since the Taliban’s resurgence to power in August 2021, numerous foreigners, including Western nationals, have been detained by the Taliban authorities. The group has imposed sweeping restrictions aligned with its strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, including prohibitions on women working for NGOs and the United Nations.
Furthermore, Afghan teenage girls and women have been banned from attending schools and universities, and have been excluded from various aspects of public social life, sparking international concerns about human rights violations and religious freedoms in the country.
By AFP