Reporters Without Borders: Urgent support needed for Afghan journalists

KABUL: Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the continuous harassment of Afghan journalists by the Taliban and called on third countries to protect them from the threat of retaliation in Afghanistan. Martin Roux, the head of RSF’s crisis section, stated that Afghan journalists face daily threats, arrests, and torture both within the country and in exile. He emphasized that the international community must not remain silent in the face of the expulsion or return of journalists, urging them to provide necessary support through visa issuance. According to the organization, several Afghan journalists in Pakistan are facing forced expulsions. Since the beginning of 2025, at least 13 journalists have been returned to Afghanistan while their visa applications for other countries were still under review. RSF also reported that many visa applications from Afghan journalists were rejected by France in July. Meanwhile, the United Nations has issued a report titled “No Safe Haven,” warning that returning journalists in Afghanistan are at serious risk of human rights violations. The report indicates that approximately three million Afghans, primarily from Pakistan and Iran, are expected to be forced back in 2025, including nearly 100 journalists. Since 2021, Reporters Without Borders has assisted 654 Afghan journalists, with 86% having left the country. Among them, 169 have been resettled in France, while some continue to work in the media sector.