GOOD NEWS! Journalist Hamid Farhadi has finally been released after spending two years in prison. He should never have been jailed for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression.
Thank you to everyone who supported our Urgent Action campaign for calling for his release.
Hamid Farhadi, a journalist working with an independent newspaper operating in exile, was arrested by members of the Taliban Ministry of Interior on September 3, 2024. He was sentenced to two years in prison on September 19, without any access to legal representation. The court accused him of spreading propaganda through his journalistic reports about the situation of women and girls in the country. On March 28, 2025, without explanation or prior notice, Farhadi was transferred from Pol- Charkhi Prison to the notorious Bagram Prison. His family are only allowed to visit him once a month, for 30 minutes. Hamid Farhadi must be immediately and unconditionally released as he is detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.
NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO SENT APPEALS.
Dear Mr. Mufti Abdul Matin Qane,
I am concerned about the arbitrary arrest and detention of journalist Hamid Farhadi.
On September 3, 2024, Hamid Farhadi was arbitrarily arrested by members of the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior from his home in Kabul. He was subsequently accused of propaganda against the Taliban de facto authorities. This charge appears to be based on his work as a journalist working with exile-based media company – Etilaatroz – and reporting on the national ban of girl’s education.
I find it alarming to learn that during his interrogation and detention, Hamid Farhadi was subjected to ill treatment including being kept in solitary confinement. Throughout this entire ordeal, Farhadi has been denied a lawyer to represent him, and his family are only allowed to visit him once a month for 30 minutes in the presence of a Taliban soldier.
Hamid Farhadi’s arbitrary detention and lack of legal representation are a clear violation of his rights to freedom of expression and fair trial guaranteed under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Afghanistan is a state party.
I urge you to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Hamid Farhadi. Pending his release, ensure that he is held in conditions meeting international standards of fairness and that he has regular access to adequate healthcare, legal representation, and family visits. Finally, stop the practices of arbitrary detention and torture and other ill-treatment of people working to defend human rights.
Yours sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
Additional Resources and Ways to Act
Take More Action
Extend your impact with these opportunities to fight for the human rights of more individuals at risk around the world.
BULGARIA: ROMA FAMILIES LEFT HOMELESS AFTER EVICTIONS
UA : 50.25COTE D’IVOIRE: UNIONIST RELEASED BUT CHARGES STILL PENDING
UA : Second 41.25SAUDI ARABIA: UNJUSTLY DETAINED REFORMIST CLERIC TORTURED
UA : 53.25Urgent Action
emails
"*" indicates required fields