Call for Canada to Accelerate Resettlement of Afghan Journalists

DID Press: Media advocates and exiled journalists gathered in Toronto have urged Canada and the international community to expand protection measures and expedite resettlement processes for Afghan journalists facing ongoing uncertainty abroad.

The appeal was made during the third annual conference of the Free Speech Centre held in Toronto, where hundreds of journalists and media workers from more than 40 countries discussed the challenges faced by reporters in exile and the sustainability of independent journalism under displacement conditions.

Participants highlighted that many Afghan journalists were forced to leave the country following the return of the Taliban to power, citing security threats and professional restrictions. A significant number are currently stranded in countries such as Pakistan and Türkiye, where they face legal, financial, and professional instability.

Organizers of the conference called on Canadian authorities and international institutions to accelerate resettlement programs and strengthen support mechanisms for displaced journalists. They warned that prolonged uncertainty is severely affecting both the personal lives and professional continuity of exiled media workers.