Afghanistan Times
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KABUL: Afghan journalists and media supporting bodies call on the government and Taliban to not censor the upcoming peace talks and hold negotiations openly.
The first round of government-Taliban negotiations is expected to be held in a few days in Qatar after the 400 imprisoned insurgents are released from government custody. The government released 80 of them, promising to free the others soon.
Journalists warn against a “deal” on the fate of Afghans if the talks held behind closed doors without media coverage.
They call on the government and Taliban not to deal on the people’s fate, emphasizing that ignoring of freedom of speech was not acceptable at all.
Seddiqullah Tawhidi, head of committee for safety of journalists said Friday that holding of talks behind closed doors meant that Kabul does not want people and media know what happened in the negotiations.
Mojib Khalwatgar, head of media supporting agency (NAI) called the talks away from journalists against democracy, Afghan constitution and all human rights principles.
He said that people of Afghanistan have the right to know the details of the negotiations because their fate depends on it.
Qassem Rahmani, a media activist said that the negotiations would likely deal on the human rights, women’s rights and changes in the system of government.
But Najia Anwari, spokeswoman at the state ministry for peace says that the government sent a list of reporters to attend the negotiations to Qatari government and is waiting for answer from Doha.
Reports said this week that the government of Qatar refused to allow Afghan and international media to attend the negotiations. The decision was highly likely made due to Taliban’s request who want to hold the talks behind closed doors.
