Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Taliban arrests model over 'insulting sacred value'
Kabul: Taliban has arrested an Afghan model and social media influencer Ajmal Haqiqi for allegedly "insulting Islamic sacred value" as the model, along with three others, had reportedly used the verses of Quran in a "humorous manner" in a video.
On June 5, the Taliban-appointed General Directorate of Intelligence arrested Haqiqi and three of his colleagues.
Later in the day, a video of Haqiqi's 'confession' was released where he again apologised for previous video, Amnesty International.
Last week, the model had posted a video on his YouTube channel wherein Haqiqi along with his three colleagues allegedly used ''Quranic verses in a humorous manner''.
Later on June 5, Haqiqi also posted another video apologising for the previous video, according to Amnesty International.
In a blatant attack on the right to freedom of expression, the Taliban have arbitrarily detained YouTuber Ajmal Haqiqi and his colleagues on charges of “insulting Islamic sacred values” and coerced an apology because they were offended by a video.
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) June 8, 2022
"Arbitrarily detaining YouTuber Haqiqi and his colleagues and coercing them into apologizing because the Taliban de-facto authorities were offended by the video is a blatant attack on the right to freedom of expression. The Taliban must immediately and unconditionally release the YouTubers and end their continued censorship of those who wish to freely express their ideas," Samira Hamidi, Amnesty
International’s South Asia Campaigner, said while responding to the arrest of Haqiqi and his colleagues.
Ajmal Haqiqi, model, activist & owner of a traditional clothes shop in Kabul has been arrested. Ajmal supported Ghulam Sakhi financially (red shirt), a homeless with mental disorder. 1 week ago, Ghulam Sakhi misread a verse of Quran & now his entire companions have been arrested. pic.twitter.com/UPDTTSqeuQ
— Afghan Army🇺🇸🇦🇫🇬🇧🇺🇦 (@AfghanATF555) June 8, 2022
“Restrictions to the right to freedom of expression must be clearly provided by law and be strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate aim. International human rights law does not permit restrictions of freedom of expression simply on the grounds it has the potential to offend or insult nor for the protection of religious beliefs or the religious sensibilities of their adherents. This incident is a classic example of how the Taliban is creating a climate of fear in Afghanistan by using arbitrary arrests and coercion to force people into silence,” Samira said.
“Since assuming power, the Taliban have been using intimidation, harassment, and violence on anyone who has expressed support for human rights or modern values, especially human rights defenders, women activists, journalists, and members of academia among others. As the de facto authority, the Taliban must abide by international human rights law and respect everyone’s right to freedom of expression without discrimination,” the campaigner added.
(With UNI inputs)
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