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A influential young activist for girls’ education in Afghanistan has been detained by the Taliban forces, the United Nations diplomatic mission in the country said on Tuesday.
The Afghan activist, Matiullah Wesa, is the head of PenPath, an organisation advocating for the right to education in the war-torn country since 2009. He was arrested on Monday in Kabul.
“UNAMA calls on the de facto authorities to clarify his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest and to ensure his access to legal representation and contact with family,’’ the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in a statement.
The 30-year-old activist from Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban, claimed that he had established secret schools for girls and provided education to thousands with the help of a huge network of volunteers.
Wesa was posting short videos from his campaigns for which he travelled from around remote areas of the country to promote public awareness of the importance of education to people in the traditional society.
Authorities are yet to make a comment about Wesa’s arrest or the motive behind it.
The Taliban returned to power with the collapse of the former Afghan government amidst the chaotic withdrawal of the NATO forces from the country in August 2021.
Since then, the Taliban have reimposed strict laws and regulations, including banning girls and women from accessing school classes beyond grade six.
Meanwhile, those who dare to criticise the decision have been arrested under different pretexts. (dpa/NAN)
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