Amnesty International and Richard Bennett call for the release of Neda Parvani and Julia Parsi

Amnesty International has expressed concern over the detention of Neda Parvani and Julia Parsi, and called for the “immediate and unconditional” release of them and other jailed civil rights activists and human rights defenders.

In a statement on X, the organization said the Taliban should “end arbitrary and unlawful detention” and “enforced disappearance” of civil activists, journalists and critical individuals “as soon as possible.”

According to the statement, the Amnesty International has once again emphasized the establishment of an independent international accountability mechanism for accountability of human rights violators in Afghanistan.

At the same time, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, issued a message on X, calling the “arbitrary” detention of women protesters alarming.

While stressing the immediate liberation of Julia Parsi and Neda Parvani, he called on the acting government to “ensure their safety and well-being” in Afghanistan.

Earlier, Marie Lawler, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, called for the release of the two women’s rights activists.

Neda Parvani, with her husband and a child, were arrested 10 days ago, and Julia Parsi was arrested in Kabul two days ago. Their fate is not yet known.

Officials from the security agencies of the Acting Government have not yet commented on the reason for the detention and whereabouts of these women’s rights activists.

Restrictions on women’s lives in Afghanistan have sparked protest movements. So far, a large number of activists and members of these movements have been detained in different parts of the country.

However, the UNAMA Office posted a message on Facebook on Friday calling on the acting government to end “arbitrary detention.”