Taliban releases 14 women prisoners in Kabul amid global pressure

The Taliban on Friday released 14 women prisoners in Kabul in a bid to tackle global pressure. Office of Prisons Administration (OPA) of the Taliban announced that they have freed 14 women from the female prison in Kabul. 

A statement issued by OPA to local media read, "14 women prisoners were released on Thursday, February 3 as a result of an assessment conducted by a five-member delegation."

This comes in as concerns grow over the disappearance of two women activists in Afghanistan. This is second such instance. 
Zahra Mohammadi and Mursal Ayar are the two female activists who went missing two days ago. 

The US special envoy for Afghan women, Rina Amiri, on Twitter said, "These unjust detentions must stop. If the Taliban seek legitimacy from the Afghan people and the world they must respect Afghans' human rights - especially for women - including the freedom of expression and immediately release these women, their relatives and other activists."

Also read | Taliban warn against women's rights activism after two activists were seized from their homes

Earlier, Taliban authorities had warned that they have all the rights to crack down on dissent and jailed protestors. This happened after two women activists noted that two of their comrades were seized from their homes after they took part in a few demonstrations. According to reports by AFP, Tamana Zaryabi Paryani and Parwana Ibrahimkhel were abducted from their homes in Kabul. 

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has denied that any women were being held. However, he said that the authorities had the right "to arrest and detain dissidents or those who break the law".

"Nobody should create turmoil, because it disrupts peace and order," he said while speaking to AFP.

Ever since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, the situation has not been so good, especially for women.

Demonstrations held by women have become a common phenomenon in the country. The Taliban has previously tried to prevent journalists from covering the march, organised against the "mysterious murders of young people, particularly the country's former soldiers", according to social media invitations.

(With inputs from agencies)