Taliban detains foreign journalists working with U.N. refugee agency

The person familiar with the arrest said the two journalists and the Afghan nationals were detained “earlier this week” and days of negotiations have failed to secure their release.

The tweet from the U.N. refugee agency Friday said “we are doing our utmost to resolve the situation.” The statement did not specify how many people were detained, their nationalities or who detained them, although the Taliban is the ruling authority in the Afghan capital.

A Taliban spokesman, Bilal Karimi, declined to comment on the arrest but said he is gathering information on the matter.

Afghan journalists and civil society activists have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks as they push back against restrictions under Taliban rule. A number of female protesters have been abducted; despite international pressure, their whereabouts remain unknown.

Taliban officials have denied any involvement in the abductions of the female protesters and have pledged to respect media freedom. But the group’s fighters routinely use force to break up protests, and Taliban leaders have called on journalists to “be committed to the national interest and Islamic principles.”

The international community has repeatedly said the Taliban must demonstrate greater respect for human rights, most recently at meetings in Oslo. Taliban leadership is pressing for more humanitarian aid to alleviate a spiraling humanitarian crisis and international recognition.

Haq Nawaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, contributed to this report.

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