Matiullah Wesa, head of the PenPath organization, was arrested at the exit of a mosque and arrested by “men in two vehicles”.
By Le Figaro with AFP
Published on 03/28/2023 at 08:05, updated on 03/28/2023 at 12:19
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Afghan children on the outskirts of Fayzabad district, Badakhshan province, March 27, 2023. OMER ABRAR / AFP
The founder of a girls’ school in Afghanistan was arrested on Monday, the United Nations said on Tuesday, calling on the Taliban authorities to clarify the reasons for his arrest.
Matiullah Wesa, head of PenPath organization and “girls education advocate, was arrested Monday in Kabul,” the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Manua) said in a tweet, urging authorities to “clarify his whereabouts.” reasons for his arrest and ensure he has access to legal counsel and contact with his family.”
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literacy in rural areas
Matiullah Wesa’s brother confirmed his arrest, adding that he was arrested while leaving a mosque after prayers on Monday evening. “Matiullah had finished his prayers and was about to leave the mosque when he was stopped by men in two vehicles,” Samiullah Wesa told AFP. “When Matiullah asked them for their IDs, they beat him and forcibly took him away.”
30-year-old Afghan education activist Matiullah Wesa is the founder and chair of the Pen Path organization. He established 18 libraries and helped reopen many closed libraries in rural and remote areas of Afghanistan. He launched a book distribution campaign aimed at educating parishioners in rural areas.
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Education for girls is a sensitive issue in Afghanistan. Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban authorities have gradually excluded women from public life. Many of them have lost their public sector jobs and since November have not been allowed to visit parks, gyms or even public baths. They are also prohibited from traveling unaccompanied by a male relative and must cover themselves fully when leaving their homes.