Taliban release two detained UN staff members in Afghanistan

Though the reason for their detention remains unclear, the UN stated, afghanistan's Taliban authorities have published two United Nations staff members who were detained more than a week ago.

Key points

• As the United States and NATO forces withdrew from the country after two decades of war, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021.
• The two men were detained in the western city of Herat on August 9.
• The arrests were the latest in a series of detentions by Afghanistan's Taliban authorities.
• Multiple UN agencies operate throughout Afghanistan in a range of areas, including health and humanitarian response.
• Shortly after, they barred girls from education beyond primary school and banned women from almost all employment, effectively excluding women and girls from public life.

Meanwhile, the two men were detained in the western city of Herat on August 9. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) remarked they were issued on Thursday morning and appeared to be in good health.

"UNAMA has not been formally notified of the reasons for their arrest and detention and continues to follow up with the de facto authorities, " the UN remarked in an official note, adding it understood that charges against the two had been dropped.

It remarked the organisation was additionally after up "to ensure respect for the privileges and immunities of the United Nations, as well as the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel throughout the country".

Meanwhile, the arrests were the latest in a series of detentions by Afghanistan's Taliban authorities. Last week, Human Rights Watch remarked six staff members of a local organisation working on women's and children's rights had been "forcibly disappeared" for more than a month.

"For us, we're just delighted that have been released, they're in good health, and they face apparently no more judicial legal issues, " UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric remarked to journalists at the organisation's headquarters in New York. Afghan authorities did not immediately comment on the release.

Multiple UN agencies operate throughout Afghanistan in a range of areas, including health and humanitarian response. The country has been hit hard by international aid cuts and faces numerous challenges, including the return of millions of its citizens from Iran and Pakistan over recent years.

As well as promoting human rights, equality for women and girls, inclusive governance and economic stability, the UN mission's mandate from the UN Security Council includes promoting and supporting humanitarian assistance to the Afghan individuals.

Shortly after, they barred girls from education beyond primary school and banned women from almost all employment, effectively excluding women and girls from public life. They have additionally removed minimum-age protections for girls' marriage and produced domestic violence punishable only in cases in which a woman has suffered visible injuries or broken bones.

For now, taliban release two detained UN staff members in Afghanistan remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.