Amnesty Intern’l Supports Afghan Media Protests

Following the protests of some Afghan media outlets against restriction of freedom of expression, Amnesty International supported the protests, saying that the Afghan government must respect, protect and fulfil the right to information.

Following the protests of some Afghan media outlets against restriction of freedom of expression, Amnesty International supported the protests, saying that the Afghan government must respect, protect and fulfil the right to information.
About 30 different media organizations have recently called on the government to effectively implement the Afghan Access to Information Law, including providing information on key human rights issues.

“Afghanistan’s journalists are among the bravest in the world. Working in some of the most difficult conditions, they have faced threats, intimidation and violence for the work they do. The government must create an enabling environment, where they can carry out their work freely and without fear,” said Omar Waraich, Deputy South Asia Director at Amnesty International.

“The government has a responsibility to not just protect journalists but provide access to information in line with Afghan laws and the country’s international obligations on the right to freedom of expression.”
In a joint statement, the 30 Afghan media organizations said they were being denied access to information from several government departments, including the Supreme Court, the Attorney General’s Office, the National Directorate for Security intelligence agency, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Afghanistan and the Ministry of Defence.