رسانه‌ای گوهر شاد, نویسنده در رسانه گوهرشاد

Author: رسانه‌ای گوهر شاد

11 months ago - 534 Visits

8 Million Afghans Left the Country after the Signing of the Doha Agreement

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced that nearly 8 million citizens of Afghanistan have left their homeland since 2020. In a published report, the organization stated that among these, one million Afghan citizens have sought refuge in European countries, while 85 percent have gone to neighboring countries. The report mentions that since the current government came to power in Asad 1400 (August 2021), economic inflation in the country has significantly increased, and during this period, more than half of the population has experienced poverty. The United States government signed a peace agreement with the caretaker government in Doha, Qatar, on February 29, 2020, and many believe that this agreement paved the way for the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the entry of the current government into Kabul. The IOM emphasized that about 70 percent of Afghans migrating to Iran say they have left their homeland due to a lack of job opportunities. The organization added that the number of Afghan returnees from Iran is also significant, with nearly one million Afghans returning to their country in 2023. Seventy percent of the returnees did not have residency documents. The report states that many citizens of Afghanistan prefer to migrate to other countries through illegal means due to difficulties in obtaining passports and visas, often paying human traffickers to cross borders. The IOM report indicates that Afghans without access to travel documents face greater threats, including human rights violations while crossing borders and in neighboring countries. The organization notes that this group of Afghans encounters "cruel, inhumane, and degrading" treatment. Furthermore, the International Organization for Migration has called on countries to halt the deportation of Afghan migrants until conditions for their return are "safe, dignified, and voluntary." It is noteworthy that in recent months, the governments of Pakistan and Iran have increased the deportation of Afghan migrants lacking residency documents. According to statistics provided by the Ministry of Refugees and Returnees of the current government, more than a thousand Afghan migrants are deported daily from these two countries.

11 months ago - 290 Visits

Human Rights Defenders Assembly: The "Cultural Catastrophe" in Afghanistan Must Be Taken Seriously

The Human Rights Defenders Assembly has warned about the erasure and elimination of cultural artifacts by the caretaker government in Afghanistan and has urged the international community to take the "cultural catastrophe" in this country seriously. In a statement, the assembly noted that due to the dismantling of cultural institutions and the restrictions imposed by the caretaker government, intellectuals and artists have experienced mental and emotional turmoil. The current government's policies have caused psychological harm to artists and intellectuals, leading to deep depression. Human Rights Defenders have also expressed concern over the dire economic and psychological conditions of displaced intellectuals in neighboring countries. The statement reads: "The erasure of cultural artifacts and the imposition of widespread restrictions on intellectuals is a key mission of the current government. The government has put the vibrant culture of the Afghan people at risk of destruction." The Human Rights Defenders Assembly has voiced concern over the widespread closure of cultural institutions, emphasizing: "Kocheh Kharabat, once a hub of music, has become desolate." Kocheh Kharabat, located in the first district of Kabul, was a center for classical music and Ghazal singers in Afghanistan. They report that theaters, cinemas, music performances, and art galleries have been destroyed. Departments of Fine Arts at universities and the National Institute of Music have been eliminated, and artistic groups have been shut down. They have called on cultural support organizations and international bodies, including UNESCO, to prioritize the disastrous cultural situation in Afghanistan. Afghanistan's Human Rights Defenders have urged member countries of the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council to activate "cultural diplomacy" to address the cultural catastrophe in Afghanistan. They have called on human rights advocates and intellectuals in the country not to remain silent against what has been termed a "cultural catastrophe." It is noteworthy that since regaining power, the caretaker government has banned music. Thousands of artists and singers have lost their jobs and have been forced to leave the country. Over the past three years, reports have emerged regarding the violent treatment of music listeners by the current government. Additionally, the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has issued written recommendations to drivers to refrain from playing music.

11 months ago - 422 Visits

Women’s Magazine: The Government of Afghanistan Has Institutionalized Oppression Against Women

The Women’s Magazine, in publishing an analytical report on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, states that the caretaker government in this country has taken "everything" backward. The magazine writes that Afghanistan was a "very powerful" country where women and girls advocated for freedom and education, but now everything has changed from "day to night." This specialized magazine, which addresses women's issues worldwide, notes that currently women and girls under the current government's rule are victims of "institutionalized oppression." It continues: "It is easy to remember Afghanistan as a country that has long faced war and destruction; however, before the first rule of the current government in 1996 and their return in August 2021, Afghanistan was progressive." The report states that today's situation in Afghanistan is dire, yet the world remains unaware of the extent of the catastrophe faced by women and all people in this country. The Women’s Magazine adds that it is easy to imagine that what has happened in Afghanistan could never occur anywhere else. Furthermore, it mentions that the right to education for girls in Afghanistan is a global issue that must be addressed accordingly. Additionally, the U.S. Congressional Human Rights Commission held a meeting two days ago regarding the rights of Afghan women and girls on the eve of the third anniversary of the fall of the Afghan government. In this meeting, Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Representative for Women and Human Rights in Afghanistan, stated that the current government has committed systematic violations of women's rights, ethnic-religious minorities, freedom of expression, and violence against officials and security forces of the previous government over the past three years. She added: "The Taliban's treatment of women and girls has been more catastrophic than others, and these actions by the current government constitute gender-based violence." Heather Barr, Deputy Director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, also stated that the current government must be held accountable for the "crimes" it has committed. She emphasized that gender apartheid in Afghanistan should be recognized by the international community. It should be noted that participants in this meeting called on the international community and international organizations to hold the current government accountable for its actions against women.

11 months ago - 446 Visits

Protesting Women Call for an End to "Anti-Migrant Sentiment" in Iran

A number of protesting women have criticized the "harassment" of Afghan citizens in Iran, particularly in Tehran, stating that women, girls, human rights activists, and female protesters who have fled to this country out of fear of the interim government are also facing a wave of "anti-migrant sentiment." A group of protesting women known as the "Window of Hope Women's Movement" has issued a statement saying that millions have fled to various countries out of fear of the current government and are now facing numerous challenges in host countries, including violent behaviors and the risk of forced deportation. The statement reads: "On one hand, Iran is a primary supporter of the agents of the people's destruction, namely the current government. On the other hand, it is acting against human rights principles by harassing, torturing, treating inhumanely, detaining, and forcibly deporting migrants on a large scale." The protesting women emphasized that "torturing and sending such individuals to their deaths" is contrary to all internationally accepted principles that Iran must adhere to. Members of the "Window of Hope Women's Movement" added that interventions, the policies of neighboring countries and global superpowers, terrorism, poverty, and unemployment are the main factors driving Afghan citizens to migrate. They further stated that supporting Afghan migrants is the responsibility of countries at the international level. The protesting women are calling on Iran to stop its "anti-migrant policy" and not support the interim government in Afghanistan. Additionally, members of the "Window of Hope Women's Movement" are urging the United Nations and host countries not to forget their responsibilities and to take practical action to save the lives of Afghan migrants, especially women and children residing in Iran. It is worth mentioning that recently, following reports of an Iranian citizen being killed in District 15 of Tehran, several Afghan migrants in Tehran reported on the "widespread mistreatment of locals towards Afghans in the eastern part of the capital." Last week, it was reported that an Iranian citizen was killed following a confrontation with three Afghan migrants. Moreover, Afghan migrants from District 15 of Tehran (the site of this confrontation) have shared a notice on social media warning Afghan migrants to leave the area immediately.

11 months ago - 412 Visits

Rina Amiri: The Rulings of the Afghan Government Against Women Have Been Catastrophic

Rina Amiri, the U.S. Special Representative for Human Rights and Women in Afghanistan, states that the decrees issued by the interim government over the past three years against women and girls in Afghanistan have been "catastrophic." Ms. Amiri raised this issue during a session on the status of women and girls in Afghanistan at the U.S. Congress, noting that women and girls are the "primary victims of the economic and humanitarian crisis" in Afghanistan. She emphasized that the interim government has fundamentally destroyed the values that the Afghan people had achieved after two decades. She stated that the current government has banned women and girls from employment sectors and severely restricted their access to healthcare services. The U.S. Special Representative for Human Rights and Women in Afghanistan, citing a June report by Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, mentioned that the series of decrees from the current government has led to systematic violations of women's rights and has made it difficult for international organizations to operate. Ms. Amiri added that the current government has shown no signs of normalization in the past three years, and the United States is not going to recognize them. Reena Amiri stressed that the world must ensure that Afghanistan does not become a safe haven for terrorists again. In her continued remarks at the session, she noted that the current government is accused of suppressing human rights, especially women's rights in Afghanistan. This U.S. official welcomed the sanctions imposed against the current government by the United States, stating, "We welcome these sanctions." Ms. Amiri mentioned that over 100 individuals and five entities of the current government are under sanctions, and they will work with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN Special Rapporteur to hold the interim government accountable. Additionally, for nearly three years, the interim government has banned girls above sixth grade from attending school in Afghanistan. The interim government has also prevented Afghan women and girls from studying at universities, educational centers, and working in domestic and international organizations. These actions by the current government have resulted in hundreds of thousands being unemployed and millions of girls missing out on education.

11 months ago - 324 Visits

Women Criticize the World’s Silence on "Gender Apartheid" in Afghanistan

In response to calls for the recognition of gender apartheid in Afghanistan, several women’s rights activists state that gender apartheid in the country means "discrimination against women, without legal consequences for its perpetrators," urging the international community to end its silence regarding the actions of the current government as soon as possible. In a video shared by the global campaign "Fight Against Gender Apartheid" on the social media platform X, these activists described the actions of the current Afghan government and the Islamic Republic of Iran against women as "crimes against humanity." They emphasized: "Gender apartheid means stripping women of their independent identity throughout their lives, viewing women as half-men, and legally permitting child marriage." These women's rights activists are calling on countries around the world to quickly criminalize gender apartheid as a "crime against humanity" to ensure the rights of women in Afghanistan and Iran. At the same time, several human rights defenders at a meeting organized by the Middle East Institute to "codify gender apartheid as a crime against humanity in Afghanistan" stressed that gender apartheid in this country is "not just a legal issue, but a deep moral and social problem." This comes as the interim government has imposed more than 50 restrictive orders on women and girls since coming back to power in Afghanistan. For nearly three years, women under the current government have been deprived of all their basic rights, including the right to education, work, travel, recreation, and political participation. United Nations human rights experts have referred to the violation of women's and girls' fundamental rights as an example of "gender apartheid" and have called on judicial authorities in various countries to recognize this phenomenon. Meanwhile, Afghan and Iranian women have launched a campaign by the "Alliance Against Gender Apartheid," releasing various statements to amplify the voices of women from these two countries fighting against the system of "gender apartheid." Recently, many women’s rights activists from different countries, including Western nations such as Germany and Ukrainian feminists, also expressed their solidarity with women in Iran and Afghanistan through messages.

11 months ago - 327 Visits

The activities of six health centers in Badakhshan were stopped

Health sources from Badakhshan province report that six health centers supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are set to cease operations in the coming two days. At least three sources told the media outlet Gowharshad today (Tuesday, August 1) that these health centers are located in the areas of Betash and Miyandashteh in Faizabad city, Dasht Farakh in Baharak district, Dehnab in Argo district, Khosrow in Warduj district, and Daneshabad in Yaftal district, and they will stop functioning within the next two days. The sources did not provide details regarding the reasons for the closure of these health centers. Local officials from Badakhshan confirmed the cessation of operations at these health centers but did not provide information about the reasons behind it. These centers provided health services to thousands of people, especially pregnant women and newborns, and will close their doors to patients at the end of this month, ceasing all activities. Local residents say that many individuals who could not afford to visit a doctor or buy medication relied on these centers for free medicines. They express concern that with the closure of these health facilities, thousands of people, particularly women and children, will face difficulties. This comes at a time when the operations of a 60-bed maternity and child hospital in Badakhshan, which was financially supported by the World Health Organization, have also recently been halted. The reason for this hospital's closure is cited as a lack of sufficient funding. Currently, only one 30-bed women's unit is operational in Badakhshan provincial hospital, which is unable to meet the needs of patients due to a shortage of doctors and specialists. It should be noted that this year, international aid organizations have repeatedly reported budget shortfalls and warned about their consequences. Recently, the World Health Organization reported that 310 health centers across the country, including hospitals, are facing severe service shortages and lack of support due to budget constraints. The organization has warned that the closure of health centers will have a detrimental impact on access to healthcare for more than three million people.

11 months ago - 494 Visits

Floods in South Asia Endanger the Lives of Over Six Million Children

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has announced that heavy rains and flooding have put the lives of more than six million children in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan at risk. The organization has called for immediate action to protect children in these countries. Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF's regional director for South Asia, described the situation of children and adolescents affected by recent floods in these countries as "concerning" in a statement. He emphasized, "We are deeply worried about the well-being and safety of over six million children and their families in these countries who have lost their homes or been displaced and are struggling to survive." UNICEF has requested $9.3 million to support emergency preparedness for children across the region. The organization has released statistics on the financial and human toll caused by recent floods in six South Asian countries, including Afghanistan. According to this data, recent floods in Baghlan, Badakhshan, and western provinces of Afghanistan have resulted in 58 deaths and affected 1,900 families. The statement noted: "Flooding poses risks beyond injury and death for children's health. Floods threaten clean water sources, increasing the risk of disease and diarrhea outbreaks." UNICEF added, "When homes are submerged, displacement can expose children to abuse, exploitation, and trafficking." This solar year, various provinces of Afghanistan have experienced heavy rainfall and devastating floods. These floods have caused significant casualties and damage, displacing hundreds of people.

11 months ago - 368 Visits

Afghan Women; The Primary Victims of Restrictive Government Policies

Author: Mahdi Mozaffari Since the current government's resurgence in Afghanistan, we have witnessed widespread and unprecedented restrictions on the fundamental rights and freedoms of women. These restrictions, described by United Nations experts as "crimes against humanity" and referred to as "gender apartheid" by Afghan women activists, have severely impacted the lives of millions of women in Afghanistan. In a recent joint report published by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the UN Women’s section, and the International Organization for Migration, the dire consequences of these policies on Afghan women have been thoroughly examined. Researchers of this report have conducted hundreds of interviews with women across Afghanistan, providing a clear picture of the deplorable state of women's rights in the country. Participants in this study spoke in detail about the challenges they face in accessing essential services, feeling secure, mental health, and social participation. This report, prepared based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2721, indicates that the current government's policies not only violate women's fundamental rights but also seriously undermine Afghanistan's stability and development. The deprivation of women from education, employment, and participation in public life not only excludes half of Afghanistan's population from development but also wastes the immense potential of the country. The international community and global institutions must take more serious actions to address this situation and support the rights of Afghan women. Lack of Access to Legal Mechanisms One of the most striking consequences of the current ruling groups' resurgence in Afghanistan is the widespread deprivation of women from access to legal mechanisms. Reports from international organizations, particularly the United Nations, paint a bleak picture of the status of women in this country. According to these reports, nearly all Afghan women have been deprived of both formal and informal dispute resolution mechanisms. Only a very small percentage (three percent) of women have claimed to have access to these mechanisms. This shocking statistic reflects the depth of the catastrophe that Afghan women are grappling with. In addition to the lack of access to legal mechanisms, fear and terror also cast a shadow over the daily lives of women. Many women have acknowledged that they have had no interaction with local authorities of the ruling group due to fear of repercussions. This profound fear stems from the repressive policies of this group and the severe restrictions imposed on women. In fact, the current rulers of Afghanistan are attempting to deter women from demanding their rights by creating an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Beyond structural barriers, social obstacles also hinder women's access to justice. Many women are forced to resort to influential men or religious leaders to voice their issues. This not only serves as a humiliation and insult to women but also highlights the deep-rooted gender discrimination in Afghan society. In reality, women in this society have been marginalized and deprived of their basic right to access justice. This situation poses a serious threat not only to women but to Afghan society as a whole, as half of the population has been stripped of their fundamental rights. Deprivation of Women from Decision-Making Participation The deprivation of women from the right to participate in decision-making is one of the regrettable aspects of the current regime's rule over Afghanistan. This discriminatory policy has marginalized women and excluded them from all areas of social, political, and economic life. Afghan women, who once played active and influential roles in society, are now stripped of their most basic human rights. Afghan women who have spoken with representatives of the United Nations have emphasized the depth of this crisis. They have stated that they have no role in any stage of decision-making, including the formulation of laws and public policies. This is particularly concerning as the laws enacted directly impact their lives and futures. However, women are not only unable to influence these laws, but they also cannot seek legal avenues to assert even the minimal rights that the ruling groups have allocated to them. The current rulers' governance in Afghanistan signifies a return to the Middle Ages for the women of this country. Before the rise of this group, Afghan women had an active and prominent presence in society. They participated in parliament, universities, media, and non-governmental organizations, playing a role in shaping the country's laws. Now, however, women have been excluded from all public spheres, and their right to protest and express their opinions has been severely restricted. This situation not only harms Afghan women but also affects the entire Afghan society, hindering the country's development and progress. Feelings of Insecurity and Psychological Issues The psychological crisis in Afghanistan, particularly among women, has reached extensive dimensions. According to a comprehensive report by the United Nations, feelings of insecurity within society have significantly increased. Sixty-five percent of Afghan women have acknowledged that they do not feel safe when leaving their homes alone. This shocking statistic reveals the deep-rooted fear and anxiety that permeate society. Even the presence of men accompanying women in public places does not fully guarantee their sense of security. This situation indicates the creation of an atmosphere of fear and restriction in the daily lives of Afghan women. The severe restrictions imposed by the current rulers on women's lives have had destructive and long-lasting effects on their mental health. More than half of the women participating in this study described their mental health as very poor or bad. Feelings of depression, anxiety, and isolation have been reported as the most common psychological issues. A recent speech by the leader of the ruling group defending acts of violence against women has intensified this crisis. Such statements have reinforced feelings of hopelessness and despair among women, presenting a bleak future ahead of them. Schoolgirls and female students are among the most vulnerable groups in these circumstances. The deprivation of their right to education has inflicted irreparable damage on their futures, leading to widespread depression and hopelessness. The significant increase in suicide cases among girls stands as evidence of the profound impact of these policies. This situation not only harms the individual mental health of girls but also severely undermines the social and economic development of Afghanistan. Depriving half of the population of education robs the country of its tremendous potential. The Destructive and Inhumane Consequences of the Ruling Group's Policies on Women's Society Are Not Limited to Them! Although the United Nations has primarily focused on the catastrophic effects of the current rulers' policies on the lives of Afghan women, the devastating impact of this group extends to all aspects of Afghan people's lives. In fact, the policies of the current group have led to a widespread humanitarian crisis in the country, with over two-thirds of Afghanistan's population living in severe poverty and in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. Among this population, 17 million people are in very vulnerable conditions, and their daily lives are under serious threat. In addition to the economic crisis, discrimination and human rights violations have also significantly increased. Religious and ethnic minorities, particularly the Hazara Shia, are increasingly subjected to persecution and are deprived of their basic rights. Civil and political freedoms have been severely restricted, and the public space is under tight control by the ruling groups. This situation has not only affected the daily lives of the people but has also caused serious damage to the country's infrastructure and reversed development progress. Key sectors such as education, healthcare, and urban infrastructure have been severely weakened, jeopardizing the future of Afghanistan's upcoming generations. In summary, the policies of the ruling group have led to a multifaceted crisis in Afghanistan that requires serious attention from the international community and immediate actions to improve the humanitarian situation of the people in this country.

11 months ago - 344 Visits

A number of Iranian citizens protested against Afghan migrants in Tehran

A group of Iranian citizens in District 15 of Tehran protested against Afghan migrants in the country, chanting slogans such as "Death to Afghans." According to reports from domestic and international media, recent days have seen an increase in protests and mistreatment of Afghan migrants in Iran, particularly in Tehran. Videos shared on social media show some individuals protesting on a street that is said to be the site of the murder of an Iranian citizen. The protesters are mainly women, and some police officers can be seen accompanying them. On Friday, August 5, protesters held a demonstration in District 15 of Tehran, shouting slogans like "Death to Afghans" and "Afghans commit crimes, the government supports them." A video circulating on social media is short, and the slogans and demands put forth by the demonstrators are not clearly specified. It is noteworthy that following the news of the death of an Iranian citizen in District 15 of Tehran, several Afghan migrants reported widespread mistreatment by local people towards Afghans in the eastern part of the capital. Last week, it was reported that an Iranian citizen was killed following a confrontation with three Afghan migrants. Additionally, Afghan migrants from District 15 of Tehran (the site of this altercation) have shared an announcement on social media warning Afghan migrants to leave the area immediately. In this announcement, whose author or issuing body is not specified, Afghan migrants are warned that if they do not leave District 15, they will be forcibly expelled from Iran. [caption id="attachment_14901" align="aligncenter" width="783"] The announcement published about the expulsion of Afghan immigrants from the 15th district of Tehran[/caption] Also, the Tasnim news agency reported last week that following the death of an Iranian citizen in a hospital emergency room, police in the capital arrested three Afghan brothers on suspicion of involvement in the fatal injury. This news agency quoted a woman whose apartment was visited by three migrant workers: "My husband left for a work assignment and I was home alone. These three brothers, who are our neighbors, came to collect building charges, and a verbal argument broke out between us over construction issues." This woman, who accused the three migrant workers of using foul language, stated that after the workers left, she contacted her husband, and an hour later, her husband's brother went to confront the three and got into a fight with them. Domestic media, including Tasnim news agency, reported that this 28-year-old man was injured in the chest during the altercation with the three Afghan workers and died in the hospital. This comes as a wave of criticism regarding the presence of Afghan migrants in various cities across Iran has emerged on social media and in the press in recent months. Concurrently with these criticisms, Iranian police have intensified their process of arresting and expelling Afghan migrants.