Taliban release two UN staffers detained in Herat last week

The Taliban have released two United Nations staff members who were detained in the western Afghan city of Herat more than a week ago. The UN confirmed the release on Thursday morning, stating that the two men appeared to be in good health.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it had not been formally informed of the reasons for their arrest. The mission noted that it understood the charges against the two men had been dropped and that it was continuing to follow up with the authorities.

UNAMA also said it was working to ensure respect for the privileges and immunities of UN personnel across the country. The mission's mandate includes supporting humanitarian aid, promoting human rights, and advocating for inclusive governance.

The detentions are part of a broader pattern of arrests by the Taliban authorities. Last week, Human Rights Watch reported that six staff members of a local organisation focused on women's and children's rights had been forcibly disappeared for over a month. Those six individuals remain in custody.

The Taliban seized power in August 2021. Since then, they have barred girls from secondary education and restricted women from most forms of employment, effectively excluding them from public life. In June, at least 30 women were arrested in Herat for alleged violations of the dress code, and a protest against the arrests was violently suppressed by Taliban police.