Amid reports of firing by Taliban on women protesters in Kabul and elsewhere in Afghanistan, the Germany-headquartered Afghanistan Republican Salvation Front has demanded that the freedom of expression of the people should be respected.
Freedom of expression must not be erased and constructive criticism should be utilised to improve the functioning of the Government in Afghanistan, it said.
“After years of hardship and oppression, Afghans were given the opportunity to assert their rights under the republic of Afghanistan. But twenty years later, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has re-emerged and gained control of Afghanistan. Now the Taliban need not deprive them of their rights,” ARSF president Ajmal Sohail said in a statement.
“Every citizen of a country has the right to speak out against injustice and to demand justice. Every human being and system has flaws and in order to eliminate these flaws, it is necessary for the state to listen to the voice of the people, fill the gaps by taking advantage of their advice and sound criticism. By appreciating sound criticisms from the public and addressing the shortcomings, the existing government and system at the national level in Afghanistan can emerge as a better face at the international level,” Sohail further said.
“The Presidential Palace lowered the national flag again, in response to which the general public announced a protest. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s reference to the country’s name, says that no one is allowed to protest. If anyone goes out to protest, the person will be responsible for this and will face a serious backlash from the security forces. Such threats from the administration in itself is a huge and unacceptable blow to freedom of expression in the short term, he added.