Zan News - Faryab: Local sources in Faryab province report that a woman named "Kamela" was murdered by her husband in the Khajeh Sabzposh district. Woman Killed by Her Husband in Faryab September 1, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Faryab: Local sources in Faryab province report that a woman named "Kamela" was murdered by her husband in the Khajeh Sabzposh district. According to sources, this incident occurred on Friday (August 30) in the village of "Qezel Qashlaq" in Khajeh Sabzposh district. It is said that the woman's husband suffocated her by placing a knife on her throat and then fled. The woman has left behind a young daughter and son. The cause and motive of this murder are still unknown. This comes as cases of murder and violence against women in Afghanistan have increased significantly since the Taliban's return to power.

Zan News: Women's protest movements and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have warned the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) about the situation of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan. Photo: Wakil Kohsar/AFP Women's Protest Movements and NGOs Call for Immediate Halt to Forced Deportation of Refugees from Iran and Pakistan January 5, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Women's protest movements and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have warned the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) about the situation of Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan. In a letter published on Saturday night (January 4), the groups emphasized that millions of Afghans have been forced to migrate after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan. The authors of the letter say that many Afghan citizens who sought refuge in neighboring countries are facing "inhumane" treatment. They are calling for an immediate halt to the forced deportations of refugees from Iran and Pakistan, warning that returning these individuals would put their lives at risk. The letter describes the violent behavior of police and the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from these two countries as a clear violation of human rights. The organizations are demanding international investigations into the situation of refugees and increased pressure on Tehran and Islamabad. Part of the letter reads that special attention must be given to women and civil society activists who are at direct risk of death and threats from the Taliban. Women's protest movements have also called for an expedited resettlement process for refugees in destination countries. The signatories of the letter have warned that any delay in UN actions could endanger the lives of thousands of Afghan refugees. These concerns come at a time when, over the past two days, Pakistani police have widely detained and harassed Afghan migrants.

The Islam Qala border is not just a geographic line between two countries these days; it is a line between hope and despair — between mothers who left Afghanistan in search of a better life and now return empty-handed, a child in their arms, to a place where no one is waiting for them. Photo: AP "No One Was Waiting for Us… Not Even Our Homeland" A Story of Unaccompanied Afghan Women Deported from Iran April 15, 2025 Tamim Attaiy The Islam Qala border is not just a geographic line between two countries these days; it is a line between hope and despair — between mothers who left Afghanistan in search of a better life and now return empty-handed, a child in their arms, to a place where no one is waiting for them. Arezo, a 34-year-old unaccompanied woman, is one of the hundreds of women recently deported to Afghanistan. She says: "I was in Iran for eleven years. My husband was an addict and passed away three years ago. I worked, I took care of my mother and the children myself. But now, with only the clothes on our backs, they threw us here. They said: You're illegal, you have to leave." Next to her stands Somayeh — a young woman with two small daughters: one six years old and the other only two and a half. She says: "My husband abandoned us. I used to sew and work to raise these two. I had no support, no income, no security. And now they’ve kicked us out of Iran as well. We slept the first night at customs. I don’t even know where I’ll be tonight." These mothers are just a few examples of a new wave of deportations of unaccompanied Afghan women from Iran — deportations in which there is no assessment of individual circumstances, no access to legal services, and not even a chance to defend oneself. This is while, according to the 1951 Geneva Convention and the 1967 Protocol, no asylum seeker should be returned to a country where they face the threat of violence, persecution, or serious human rights violations. This fundamental principle, known as non-refoulement, is clearly stated in international law. Despite this, Iran has deported tens of thousands of Afghan migrants in recent months — including unaccompanied women and children. Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and UNHCR have repeatedly warned that this process constitutes a clear violation of the rights of migrants and asylum seekers. Inside Afghanistan, there is no specific support mechanism for returnees. These women, after crossing the border, have no home, no cash assistance, and no psychological services. One Taliban official in Islam Qala says: "We don’t have enough resources. We house some of them with the help of locals in mosques and hospitals, but their situation is truly critical." Arezo says at the end: "I never thought I’d be deported from Iran. I never thought my own homeland wouldn’t have a place for me either. I look at my children and just ask: what do we do now? Where do we go?" And Somayeh, holding her little daughter close to her chest, whispers quietly: "We were just women. Just mothers. But it seems like that is the greatest crime in the world."

Zan News: Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and advocate for girls' education, in a message to Afghan girls, said, "You are the true force of resistance against the Taliban." Photo: Loey Felipe/UN Photo Malala Yousafzai: Afghan Girls Are the True Force of Resistance Against the Taliban September 17, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and advocate for girls' education, in a message to Afghan girls, said, "You are the true force of resistance against the Taliban." In a video message posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday (September 16), Yousafzai told Afghan girls, "Your courage is an inspiration to me and people around the world." She added that despite being banned from going to school, Afghan girls have not lost hope and have found creative ways to learn at home through mobile phones, television, and radio. Yousafzai also addressed Afghan girls, saying, "Know that I and many allies around the world will continue to fight for you and hold the Taliban accountable. We will not rest until your rights are restored." Malala Yousafzai has called on everyone who hears her message to help Afghan girls access education and to pressure their governments to hold the Taliban accountable for their crimes. She has also urged Afghan girls to continue their struggle, emphasizing that she stands with them. This comes as the Taliban, after returning to power in Afghanistan, have banned girls above sixth grade from attending school and have closed universities to women. Malala Yousafzai has previously criticized the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan, calling it part of the Taliban's misogynistic campaign.

Zan News: Local sources in Khost province report that unidentified armed individuals killed 10 members of a family, including women and children, on Tuesday night (January 28) in Alisher district of the province. Photo: 8amnewspaper Brutal Murder of 10 Family Members in Khost; Pregnant Woman Among the Victims January 29, 2025 Zan News Zan News: Local sources in Khost province report that unidentified armed individuals killed 10 members of a family, including women and children, on Tuesday night (January 28) in Alisher district of the province. According to sources, the incident took place in the village of Abukhani, where the victims were shot dead. Among the deceased were three women, one of whom was pregnant with triplets. Sources say the unborn children were expected to be born within five days. According to the available information, only one child from the family survived. The family had recently moved from Paktia province to Alisher district in Khost. The perpetrators of the attack fled the scene after committing the crime. Meanwhile, the Taliban have announced that they have arrested one person on suspicion of involvement in the incident. However, some sources claim that the family had a prior personal dispute. It is worth mentioning that since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, mysterious killings and criminal activities have significantly increased, raising concerns among citizens.

Zan News: The "Afghanistan Women and Children S.W.O" reported a worrying increase in drug addiction rates among Afghan women due to the growing restrictions imposed by the Taliban. Social Media Increase in Drug Addiction Rates Among Afghan Women Under Taliban Rule July 22, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The "Afghanistan Women and Children S.W.O" reported a worrying increase in drug addiction rates among Afghan women due to the growing restrictions imposed by the Taliban. The institute stated that the rise in poppy cultivation under Taliban rule has exacerbated the drug problem, affecting thousands of Afghan women. According to the institute's statement, the closure of schools and universities, the ban on women's employment, restrictions on freedom of movement, isolation from public life, and the spread of poverty have driven women and girls into despair, leading them to turn to drugs for mental solace. The statement further explains: "Poverty remains a pervasive issue in Afghanistan and has only worsened under the harsh Taliban regime. Families struggling to survive are often pushed to the brink, and under such dire circumstances, some women resort to drugs as a coping mechanism." The institute also noted that the social stigma surrounding drug addiction complicates the situation, as addicted women face not only the physical and mental harm of addiction but also social ostracization. According to the organization, the increase in women's drug addiction reflects broader systemic issues that are going on under the Taliban rule. The "Afghanistan Women and Children S.W.O" has called on the international community to recognize and address this growing crisis. The institute emphasized that efforts to combat drug addiction should include providing rehabilitation and support services specifically for women, creating safe spaces where women can seek help without fear of retaliation or judgment. This statement was released while that the recent announcement by the World Health Organization, which, in collaboration with the UN Women, has launched a new initiative to treat female drug addicts. According to the organization's statistics, approximately 4 million people in Afghanistan are addicted to drugs.

Zan News: Qatar and Indonesia have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at providing scholarships to Afghan students in Indonesia. Qatar and Indonesia Sign Agreement to Grant Scholarships to Afghan Students October 21, 2024 Zan News Zan News: Qatar and Indonesia have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at providing scholarships to Afghan students in Indonesia. According to a statement released by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the goal of this agreement is to establish a framework for cooperation to strengthen the human capacity of the Afghan people through the provision of scholarships in Indonesia. The statement notes that the scholarship program is part of the shared vision and mission of Qatar and Indonesia to support educational and developmental projects in Afghanistan. These projects particularly focus on creating opportunities that empower Afghan youth to build a brighter and more successful future. Lulwa Al-Khater, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, emphasized her country's commitment to cooperating with Afghanistan and mentioned Qatar's $75 million aid. Retno Marsudi, the Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, described her country's cooperation with Qatar as a sign of a shared commitment to building a better future for Afghanistan. She emphasized the urgent need for education, especially for Afghan women and girls, and added that Indonesia, by providing educational pathways, increases the hope and resilience of the Afghan people for rebuilding their country. This memorandum is signed while the Taliban have deprived girls and women in Afghanistan of education.

Zan News: In response to the killing of Afghan migrants at the Iran border by the country’s border forces, the Purple Saturdays Movement has called for immediate compensation to be paid to the families of the victims by the Iranian government. Women Protesters: Iran Should Compensate Families of Afghan Refugee Who Were Shot November 4, 2024 Zan News Zan News: In response to the killing of Afghan migrants at the Iran border by the country’s border forces, the Purple Saturdays Movement has called for immediate compensation to be paid to the families of the victims by the Iranian government. In a statement released today, Monday (November 4), the movement said, “The Islamic Republic, as a close supporter of the Taliban, has resorted to the brutal killing of Afghan migrants at its borders instead of dealing with them in a humane, Islamic, and neighborly manner; an action that is completely unjustifiable.” The movement condemned the killings of Afghan migrants at the Iran border and demanded immediate compensation for the families of the victims, treatment of the injured, and the transfer of the victims' bodies to Afghanistan by the Iranian government. The Purple Saturdays Movement added that while these actions cannot fully achieve justice, they can be a step towards holding the Iranian government accountable. Highlighting the lack of trust in the Taliban, the movement called for an independent investigation and the formation of a joint panel by reputable international human rights organizations, especially the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations, to clarify the circumstances of these killings. Additionally, the movement urged the Iranian government to commit to ensuring that such killings do not recur and to take serious measures against human trafficking at its borders. It emphasized the need to end “racist policies and inhumane treatment” of Afghan migrants. The Purple Saturdays Movement stated, “The absence of a legitimate and accountable government in Afghanistan has led to a lack of responsibility from countries regarding violations of migrants' rights and the worsening of their situation.” In conclusion, the movement warned that the continuation of Taliban rule and support for it will result in a wave of unwanted migration that will affect not only Afghanistan but the entire region. The movement has called for the establishment of a “legitimate, democratic, and decentralized” system in Afghanistan to end the crises and reduce illegal migration.

Zan News - Faryab: Local sources in Faryab say that a woman and a young girl have been killed in the Almar and Pashton Kot districts of the province. Murder of a Woman and a Young Girl in Faryab May 25, 2024 Zan News Zan News - Faryab: Local sources in Faryab say that a woman and a young girl have been killed in the Almar and Pashton Kot districts of the province. In the first incident, a girl named Halima was killed by a Taliban member in the village of Chaghatak, Almar district, on the evening of Thursday, May 23rd. It is said that the Taliban member was trying to shoot a dog as he was passing through the alley where Halima lived, but the bullet accidentally hit the 20-year-old girl. Sources say that Halima was initially wounded in the incident, but died on the way to the hospital. In the other incident, a woman named Farzana was killed by her half brother in the village of Alika, Pashton Kot district, on Thursday. Farzana was 21 years old, had divorced her former husband, and was recently engaged to another man. The motive for the woman's murder is still unknown, and her half brother has fled the scene after the murder. Local Taliban officials in Faryab have not yet commented on the murders. It is worth noting that since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, cases of women's murders have increased in various provinces of the country, including Faryab.

Zan News: The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that three individuals, including a woman, were publicly lashed in the Khuram and Sarbagh districts of Samangan province on charges of "running away from home." Social Media Taliban Lash Three People, Including a Woman, in Samangan December 16, 2024 Zan News Zan News: The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced that three individuals, including a woman, were publicly lashed in the Khuram and Sarbagh districts of Samangan province on charges of "running away from home." In a statement released on Sunday (December 15), the court stated that one of the individuals was sentenced to two years in prison and 39 lashes, the second person to nine months in prison and 39 lashes, and the third person to 39 lashes only. It is worth noting that since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have repeatedly punished citizens publicly for various reasons. Desert trials and corporal punishments, including lashing, have led to widespread human rights violations and drawn severe domestic and international criticism. Human rights organizations consider these actions contrary to humanitarian principles and international standards.