The Taliban in Afghanistan have detained 18 members of a Swiss-registered non-profit, together with a international nationwide for allegedly preaching Christianity.
The Worldwide Help Mission (IMA) on Saturday stated the staffers had been picked up on two separate events this month from its workplace in central Ghor province and brought to the capital, Kabul.
“Presently, we’ve no details about the character of allegations towards our employees and are, due to this fact, unable to remark or speculate about this ongoing scenario,” the group stated in a press release.
“Nonetheless, ought to any expenses be lodged towards our organisation or any particular person employees member, we’ll independently assessment any proof introduced,” the group added.
Two of the IMA’s Afghan employees and one US nationwide had been taken from its Ghor workplace on three September, based on native media stories.
An additional 15 Afghan nationwide employees members had been taken from the identical workplace on 13 September.
The non-profit stated it had raised its considerations in a letter to the ministry of financial system the place the group was legally registered.
The group was additionally working with the United Nations and ACBAR, the coordinating physique for non-profits in Afghanistan, to “deepen our understanding of the scenario and to work for the fast launch of our 18 colleagues”.
The IAM has operated within the conflict-torn nation since 1966, when it started offering eye care however has since branched out into different areas of well being and schooling.
The mission’s web site describes the organisation as primarily based on Christian values, however the officers stated it values and respects Afghanistan’s customs and cultures. IAM added that it stands by the precept that assist won’t be used to additional a “explicit political or spiritual” standpoint.
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It stated all its employees conform to abide by the nation’s legal guidelines.
Non-profits have come beneath larger scrutiny because the Taliban seized management of the nation two years in the past. They’ve launched harsh measures, together with banning Afghan ladies from schooling past sixth grade and barring them from public life and work.
Earlier this yr, the Taliban authorities arrested a number of journalists in an effort to throttle the restricted press freedom within the nation.