Afghan journalists stranded in Pakistan and Iran face critical conditions, warns media group

ISLAMABAD/TEHRAN: The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) has warned that the situation of a number of Afghan journalists and media workers in Pakistan and Iran has become critical, as they remain in limbo awaiting humanitarian visas from Brazil. In a statement released on Wednesday, AMSO said the journalists fled Afghanistan due to serious security threats and are now facing the risk of forced deportation from host countries. According to the organization, prolonged administrative delays and the absence of a clear timeline for visa issuance have further worsened the journalists’ psychological and physical conditions. AMSO called on the Brazilian government and its diplomatic missions in host countries to urgently and transparently review the humanitarian visa applications of Afghan journalists, and to provide clear information and a defined timetable for the process. The organization also urged international media and human rights groups to intensify and accelerate efforts to ensure the protection and swift relocation of the affected journalists. AMSO stressed that freedom of expression, access to information, and the safety of journalists are shared global values, and said no journalist or media worker should face uncertainty or threats as a result of carrying out their professional duties.