Taliban forcibly disappeared six staff from women's rights group, HRW says

Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have forcibly disappeared six staff members from a local organization dedicated to women's and children's rights, according to a statement from Human Rights Watch. The U.S.-based advocacy group reported that the detentions took place on July 18.

The six men, employees of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation, were reportedly told to come to their office to retrieve laptops and phones that had been confiscated. Following their arrival, they were detained. Human Rights Watch stated that their families have received no information regarding their whereabouts, condition, or any potential charges.

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The Taliban seems to consider any effort to assist women and girls a threat to their abusive rule.

The organization is urging the Taliban to allow family members and lawyers access to the detained individuals and to release them immediately unless they face recognizable charges. This statement follows a separate report from the United Nations that two Afghan employees of its mission in the country were detained on Sunday in Herat by the Taliban's General Directorate of Intelligence.

The U.N. mission has also not been informed of the charges against its employees or been granted visitation rights. The U.N. has called on the Taliban to ensure compliance with the privileges and immunities afforded to U.N. officials. The Taliban has not yet commented on either incident. Human Rights Watch criticized the Taliban's actions, suggesting they view efforts to assist women and girls as a threat to their rule.

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They should immediately provide information on the six staff members' whereabouts and release them if held unlawfully.