Taliban Minister Criticises UNAMA for 'Unrealistic' Reports, Seeks Pre-Publication Access

Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban's Minister for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has accused the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) of issuing "one-sided and unrealistic" reports.

Speaking at a Kabul gathering, Hanafi demanded that UNAMA share its reports with the ministry before releasing them to the public.

UNAMA's recent report highlighted the Taliban's arbitrary detentions of a significant number of women in Kabul and Daikundi for not adhering to their enforced hijab rules. The report also raised concerns over alleged monetary demands for the release of detained girls.

The state-run Bakhtar News Agency conveyed Hanafi's call during the meeting for UNAMA to avoid publishing biased reports. Taliban’s spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has previously denied claims of arbitrary detentions, asserting that their actions are lawful and adhere to Islamic Sharia.

As of now, UNAMA has not responded to these Taliban statements.

Advocates for freedom of expression have reported severe censorship imposed by the Taliban on Afghan media. Social media users have expressed concerns that such censorship is now extending to international bodies like the UN.

Since August 2021, one of UNAMA's key roles in Afghanistan has been managing humanitarian assistance and monitoring human rights conditions. However, it faces criticism for allegedly underreporting human rights violations by the Taliban, with activists accusing it of downplaying the Taliban's breach of human rights and promoting international engagement with the group.