US woman among 18 NGO staff detained in Afghanistan
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
US woman among 18 NGO staff detained in Afghanistan
Agence France-Presse
Published Sep 16, 2023 05:51 PM PHT

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have arrested at least 18 staff of an international NGO, including an American woman, accusing them of carrying out Christian missionary work, the country's leaders said Saturday.
Afghanistan's Taliban authorities have arrested at least 18 staff of an international NGO, including an American woman, accusing them of carrying out Christian missionary work, the country's leaders said Saturday.
The International Assistance Mission (IAM) confirmed its staffers were picked up from its office in Ghor province, central Afghanistan, and taken to the capital Kabul.
The International Assistance Mission (IAM) confirmed its staffers were picked up from its office in Ghor province, central Afghanistan, and taken to the capital Kabul.
Security and intelligence forces had been observing the group for some time, Abdul Wahid Hamas Ghori, a government spokesman for the province, told AFP.
Security and intelligence forces had been observing the group for some time, Abdul Wahid Hamas Ghori, a government spokesman for the province, told AFP.
"Documents and audios were obtained that showed they were inviting people to join Christianity," he said, without providing further details.
"Documents and audios were obtained that showed they were inviting people to join Christianity," he said, without providing further details.
ADVERTISEMENT
He said 21 people were arrested, including an American woman.
He said 21 people were arrested, including an American woman.
IAM said in a statement earlier that 18 people, including a "foreigner", were being held and that it had no information about the nature of the allegations.
IAM said in a statement earlier that 18 people, including a "foreigner", were being held and that it had no information about the nature of the allegations.
The American woman and two Afghan staff were the first to be detained on September 3, followed by 15 more Afghan employees on Wednesday.
The American woman and two Afghan staff were the first to be detained on September 3, followed by 15 more Afghan employees on Wednesday.
"Should any charges be lodged against our organisation or any individual staff member, we will independently review any evidence presented," it added.
"Should any charges be lodged against our organisation or any individual staff member, we will independently review any evidence presented," it added.
IAM's website says the organisation is founded on Christian values, but that it does not provide aid according to political or religious belief.
IAM's website says the organisation is founded on Christian values, but that it does not provide aid according to political or religious belief.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We value and respect local customs and cultures," the Swiss-registered group said in a statement on Saturday.
"We value and respect local customs and cultures," the Swiss-registered group said in a statement on Saturday.
IAM has operated in Afghanistan since 1966 -- through previous royal, communist and Taliban governments -- when it specialised in eye care, later branching out into other areas of health and education.
IAM has operated in Afghanistan since 1966 -- through previous royal, communist and Taliban governments -- when it specialised in eye care, later branching out into other areas of health and education.
In 2010, 10 IAM medics, including eight foreigners, were shot dead in an attack in remote northern Afghanistan.
In 2010, 10 IAM medics, including eight foreigners, were shot dead in an attack in remote northern Afghanistan.
At the time, competing theories emerged over the motive for the attack, with police saying it was likely a robbery.
At the time, competing theories emerged over the motive for the attack, with police saying it was likely a robbery.
However, two militant groups claimed responsibility, including Taliban leaders who said the medics were Christian missionaries and accused them of working as military spies.
However, two militant groups claimed responsibility, including Taliban leaders who said the medics were Christian missionaries and accused them of working as military spies.
ADVERTISEMENT
Dozens of foreigners -- including several Westerners -- have been detained by the Taliban authorities since the group's return to power in August 2021.
Dozens of foreigners -- including several Westerners -- have been detained by the Taliban authorities since the group's return to power in August 2021.
The Taliban rulers have imposed sweeping restrictions on the population they say are in line with their strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law -- including barring women from working for NGOs and the United Nations.
The Taliban rulers have imposed sweeping restrictions on the population they say are in line with their strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law -- including barring women from working for NGOs and the United Nations.
Teenage girls and women are also banned from schools and universities, and excluded from many other formers of public social life.
Teenage girls and women are also banned from schools and universities, and excluded from many other formers of public social life.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT