Country: Afghanistan
ICHRCANADA demands justice for Mina Mangal, the authorities must take immediate action to ensure justice for the victim Mina and her devastating family, as well as have an transparency in their investigation process.
“life’s of journalist are Threatened daily in Afghanistan and the government is not taking any action to end it. The international community must press for freedom of press and journalism.” Said Ardeshire Zarezadeh, Executive Director for Iran, and The Middle East at ICHR Canada.
Mina Mangal the Afghan woman journalist for 3-local TV networks, whom was also a cultural advisor to the Parliament, was attacked and shot dead by unidentified gunmen in the eastern part of Kabul on Sunday. Reported Tolo News.
The police have initiated an investigation into the matter. But did nothing to protect her while she made her threats known.
Ms Mangal was a highly regarded former journalist who had worked at Tolo TV, the largest private broadcaster in Afghanistan, as well as Shamshad and Lemar television stations. She had also recently become a cultural adviser to the lower chamber of Afghanistan’s national parliament.
On top of her career as a journalist, Ms Mangal was a passionate advocate of women’s rights, speaking out for women’s right to an education and to work.
“The world Can’t stop their tears at the loss of this beautiful soul. Mina had a loud voice that was always actively raised for people.” Said Ardeshir Zarezadeh, Executive Director for Iran, and The Middle East at ICHR Canada.
Reporters without Borders has previously said 2018 was the deadliest year for journalists since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001, when 15 journalists and media workers were killed.
Amnesty International has ranked Afghanistan as the worst place in the world to be a woman. Women can be attacked because they go to school or to work. The country also has high levels of rape and domestic violence, as well as physical and sexual abuse by state forces, forced and child marriage and honour killings.
Afghanistan has seen a number of assassinations of women in public positions over the past two decades of war, including policewomen, politicians, educators, students and journalists.
Some have been so-called honour killings carried out by relatives or community members.
Other women have been murdered by insurgents who object to women having a role in public life or speaking about women’s rights.
The Taliban, which regularly carries out attacks in Kabul, is notorious for human rights abuses, including against women.
In 2012 Malala Yousafzai was famously shot in the head, aged just 15, by the Taliban in Pakistan because she spoke out about girls’ right to education.
ICHRCANADA is absolutely outrageous by the murder of Mina Mangal, and demands an answer as why Mina was not better protected by authorities despite making her fears and threats known.
“She had already shared on social media that her life was in danger and she has been threatened numerously. Why nothing happened? We need answers, justice and accountability.” Said Ardeshir Zarezadeh, Executive Director for Iran, and The Middle East at ICHR Canada.