The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan released two United Nations staff members on Thursday morning who had been detained in the western city of Herat since August 9, according to a statement from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
The released individuals appeared to be in good health, but UNAMA noted it had not received formal notification regarding the reasons for their arrest and detention. The UN stated that charges against the two men had been dropped. The organization indicated it is continuing to engage with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to clarify the circumstances of the detention and to reinforce protections for UN personnel operating in the country.
The incident represents part of a broader pattern of detentions by Taliban-led authorities. Human Rights Watch reported earlier in the week that six staff members of a local organization focused on women’s and children’s rights had been subjected to forced disappearance for more than a month.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric expressed satisfaction with the release and the apparent absence of further legal consequences for the detained staff members. Afghan authorities did not issue an immediate public response regarding the release. Multiple UN agencies maintain operations throughout Afghanistan in sectors including health and humanitarian assistance, with the UN mission holding a mandate from the Security Council to support humanitarian work and promote human rights, women’s equality, inclusive governance, and economic stability in the country.
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