Taliban detains two UN political mission staffers in Herat
Afghanistan’s Taliban intelligence agency arrested two Afghan members of the United Nations political mission in Herat, and the UN has not been told why or allowed to see them.
On Sunday, the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence seized two Afghan staff members of the United Nations political mission in the western city of Herat. The UN has not been provided with any charges and has been denied access to the detained individuals, according to deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. The mission, mandated by the UN Security Council to support humanitarian aid, human rights, and inclusive governance, called on the Taliban to honor UN privileges and immunities.
The arrests come amid a deepening humanitarian crisis and heightened cross-border clashes with Pakistan. Human Rights Watch analyst Fereshta Abbasi said the detention threatens the UN’s ability to deliver lifesaving assistance and urged an immediate release. The incident underscores ongoing tensions between the Taliban authorities and international aid agencies operating in Afghanistan.
Why it matters
Detaining UN staff threatens humanitarian aid delivery and challenges international norms on diplomatic immunity.
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