KABUL, Afghanistan—Amnesty International has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Afghan education activist Wazir Khan, expressing concern over his whereabouts following his arrest by Taliban intelligence forces.
In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, the rights organization said Khan was detained more than a week ago by four Taliban operatives from the General Directorate of Intelligence. According to Amnesty, he was taken with his hands tied and eyes blindfolded, and his family has been unable to contact him since.
“Wazir Khan has been peacefully promoting education for boys and girls in Afghanistan,” the organization said, urging the Taliban to release him.
Khan’s arrest comes as the Taliban continue to enforce severe restrictions on girls’ education. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have barred girls beyond grade six from attending school. In December 2022, the ban was extended to universities, preventing female students from pursuing higher education.
Rights groups and international organizations have repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s crackdown on education and civil society activists, warning of the long-term consequences for Afghan youth, particularly girls.
Taliban have not commented on Khan’s arrest.