Date: 13/09/1403

Local sources in Kabul report that Taliban intelligence forces arrested two young men, Najibullah Watanyar and Ezatullah Rahimi, for supporting the rights of women and girls. Two sources close to the individuals told Rukhshana Media that the arrests took place on Monday, December 3, in different areas of the city.

According to a source familiar with Najibullah Watanyar’s arrest, Taliban intelligence officers detained him from his residence in the Dasht-e-Barchi area at approximately 11:00 a.m. The source stated that Taliban forces entered the courtyard, blindfolded him, and took him away in a white vehicle. As of the time of reporting, no information was available regarding his whereabouts or condition.

The arrest of two young men for supporting women’s and girls’ rights constitutes a clear act of retaliation against peaceful advocacy and solidarity. By detaining individuals without warrant, disclosure of location, or due process, the Taliban criminalize expression in support of gender equality and employ enforced disappearance as a tool of intimidation. The case illustrates how repression of women’s rights extends to punishing allies and silencing dissent more broadly.