(C) Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
This story was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .



statement [1]

[]

Date: 2023-09

IAM Responds to Detainment of Staff Members and Recent Developments in Ghor

UPDATE September 16, 2023

IAM has not been informed of the reasons for the detention of our staff and the subsequent closure of our office in Lal wa Jangal in Ghor province. At this time, we have no information about the nature of allegations against our staff and are, therefore, unable or to comment or speculate about this ongoing situation. However, should any charges be lodged against our organisation or any individual staff member, we will independently review any evidence presented.

IAM has written to the Ministry of Economy, where we are legally registered as an international NGO, about these extremely concerning developments. We are also working together with the UN and ACBAR, the coordinating body for NGOs in Afghanistan, to deepen our understanding of the situation and to work for the quick release of our 18 colleagues.

IAM has worked in Afghanistan alongside Afghan communities for 57 years and we value and respect local customs and cultures. We stand by the principle that “aid will not be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint.” All IAM staff agree to abide by the laws of Afghanistan.

We want to reiterate our unwavering commitment to our humanitarian work and the well-being of the Afghan people.

September 15, 2023

The International Assistance Mission (IAM) is sad to report that following the detention of three staff members – two Afghan nationals and one international team member – working at IAM’s office in Ghor province on Sunday, 3 September 2023, a further 15 Afghan national staff members were taken from the same office on Wednesday, 13 September. We understand that all 18 people have now been transferred to Kabul.

[END]
---
[1] Url: https://iam-afghanistan.org/iam-responds-to-detainment-of-staff-members-and-recent-developments-in-ghor/

Published and (C) by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty
Content appears here under this condition or license: By permission of RFE/RL.

via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/rferl/

You are viewing proxied material from magical.fish. The copyright of proxied material belongs to its original authors. Any comments or complaints in relation to proxied material should be directed to the original authors of the content concerned. Please see the disclaimer for more details.