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.
