Afghanistan: UN says Afghan girls education activist arrested in Kabul

The United Nations said that a prominent Afghan girls’ education activist was arrested in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul this week. The UN also called on the Taliban authorities to clarify the reason for the activist’s detention.

The UN Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA said in a statement on Tuesday that Matiullah Wesa, a known advocate for girls’ education and head of the organization Pen Path, was arrested in Kabul on Monday. Wesa, who is from Kandahar province, has long advocated for girls’ education, especially in the rural areas including during the Western-backed government. Wesa has said that many girls that are living in rural areas were not reached by education services.

“UNAMA calls on the de facto authorities to clarify his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, and to ensure his access to legal representation and contact with family,” said the statement.

Wesa’s organization Pen Path has held meetings with tribal leaders and encouraged communities to open schools. Pen Path has also disbursed books and organized mobile libraries. Local reports said Wesa was arrested following his trip from Europe.

Wesa has been vocal about his demands for girls to have the right to go to school and learn and has called on the Taliban administration to reverse its bans on girls from attending schools beyond the sixth grade and on women from attending universities. The Taliban has cited perceived problems around women adhering to the Islamic dress code.

Officials have previously said they plan to reopen schools for girls but have yet to reveal a time frame. The Taliban has also previously said they respect the rights of women but in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan custom.

On Monday, the Republican chair of the US House Foreign Affairs Committee said he signed a subpoena to Secretary of State Antony Blinken for documents related to the August 2021 withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan. Rep. Michael McCaul launched an investigation into the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan under President Joe Biden and the events that have taken place since. McCaul said he gave the State Department until Monday to provide the documents.

During a hearing last week, Blinken said the State Department had already provided information and was working to provide more but noted that some details could only be shared with senior officials to protect the identities of those who expressed dissent.