International appeal to support the immediate release of a young Afghan Journalist
16 January 2008, 05:23, by Heike Haensel, MP, German Bundestag
Detention of journalist and student Parwiz Kambakhsh
Dear President Karzai,
I have received unsettling information regarding the case of Parwiz Kambakhsh, a reporter for the local newspaper, “Jahan-e Now,” and a student at Balkh University. As a member of parliament in Germany I am worried about the freedom of speech and the free press in Afghanistan.
Kambakhsh was accused and has been unlawfully detained for three months for possessing an article, which discussed controversial verses of The Holy Quran regarding women’s rights.
I believe that the government of Afghanistan and your Excellency, President Karzai, have an important responsibility to secure free speech for journalists, especially in the area of religion, like the world’s leading democracies.
I pledge our support for and call on Mr. Karzai to work for the immediate release of Mr. Kambakhsh. Thank you very much for your attention!
Detention of journalist and student Parwiz Kambakhsh
Dear President Karzai,
I have received unsettling information regarding the case of Parwiz Kambakhsh, a reporter for the local newspaper, “Jahan-e Now,” and a student at Balkh University. As a member of parliament in Germany I am worried about the freedom of speech and the free press in Afghanistan.
Kambakhsh was accused and has been unlawfully detained for three months for possessing an article, which discussed controversial verses of The Holy Quran regarding women’s rights.
I believe that the government of Afghanistan and your Excellency, President Karzai, have an important responsibility to secure free speech for journalists, especially in the area of religion, like the world’s leading democracies.
I pledge our support for and call on Mr. Karzai to work for the immediate release of Mr. Kambakhsh. Thank you very much for your attention!
Sincerely,
Heike Hänsel, MP