By
J.J., Afghanistan Journalists Joint Committee in Exile
For six months, Afghan Journalists in Turkey faced an unbearable status of limbo. At least five have had their residence permits revoked, placing them at home prison in Turkey because of a risk of deportation back to Afghanistan, where their lives and freedom are in danger. Families are torn apart. In one case, family members were deported. One journalist has already been forced to flee Turkey by boat toward Greece, and many others are considering similarly risky journeys to escape increasing insecurity.
A group of 48 Afghan journalists, including 10 women, are currently living in exile in Turkey under precarious conditions and the fear to get deported. They face serious challenges related to legal status, economic survival, lack of health insurance. The thread of deportation causes an urgent need for resettlement to a safe third country.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghanistan’s media environment has collapsed: 43% of media outlets shut down within three months, and over two-thirds of the country’s 12,000 journalists have left the profession. Women have been disproportionately affected—8 in 10 women journalists have stopped working due to severe restrictions and threats. Those who continue to work face bans on appearing on camera, limited access to official sources, enforced segregation, and harassment, along with extremely low or no pay.
The Afghan journalists in Turkey urgently require international support to secure their status. The current situation urges a resettlement to countries where they can live and work in safety.
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