“Journalism Is Not a Crime, Don’t Expel Journalists”; Campaign Launched to Support Afghan Journalists in Pakistan and Iran
Tawazon – Amid growing concerns over the fate of journalists in Pakistan and Iran, a new campaign has emerged on social media under powerful hashtags: #BeingAJournalistIsNotACrime, #NoToDeportationOfJournalistsFromPakistanAndIran, and #AccelerateTheTransferOfJournalistsToSafeCountries.
The campaign, launched by the Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO), calls for urgent protection of at-risk journalists and seeks to amplify their voices to the international community.
In Pakistan too, the working and living conditions for Afghan journalists have become increasingly precarious. A report published two weeks ago by the Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization highlighted severe challenges faced by Afghan journalists in both Iran and Pakistan, including arbitrary arrests, death threats, forced deportations and the suspension of basic services. The process for renewing visas in both countries has been halted, forcing many to live in constant fear and uncertainty on expired documents.
Many of these journalists fled Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover, fearing direct threats and retaliation. In Iran and Pakistan, they not only lack the freedom to work but also face the increasing risk of deportation back to Afghanistan, a return that for many could mean imprisonment, torture, or even death.
In a statement released yesterday, the Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization stressed that deporting journalists and escalating threats against them, constitute a blatant violation of human rights and press freedom. The organization urged immediate action from international bodies, including the European Union, Reporters Without Borders, and human rights defenders, to protect these vulnerable journalists.
It emphasized that the current situation is unacceptable and that the process of relocation, resettlement, and ensuring journalists’ safety must be urgently accelerated.
