By Fatema Adeeb in ToloNwewsm Aug 25m 2023 at 6.47 pm,
The UN Security Council said in a statement that it will convene a briefing on the Secretary-General’s 17th biannual strategic-level report on the threat posed by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant Daesh.
According to the statement, the Daesh groups in Iraq and Afghanistan have been assessed by member states as the most serious terrorist threat in Afghanistan and the region.
“The report says that (Daesh Khorasan) has increased its operational capabilities inside Afghanistan, with the total number of fighters and family members associated with the group estimated at 4,000 to 6,000 people, a steady increase over the numbers reported in previous reports, while also becoming more sophisticated in its attacks against both the Taliban and international targets,” the statement said.
“Member states have also reported increasing concerns about (Daesh Khorasan) ability to project a threat outside Afghanistan.”
It reads that in “light of these findings, Council members might underscore the importance of preventing Afghanistan from becoming a haven for terrorism and urge the Taliban to adhere to the commitments it has made in this regard.”
However, the Islamic Emirate rejects the claimed capability of the Khorasan Daesh in the country and assured that Afghanistan’s soil will not be used against other countries.
“Sadly, some of the reports that are released in this respect are to cause concern, and we reject them. There is no threat in Afghanistan. We will not allow the use our soil against anyone,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.
“If I say that Daesh is not present in Afghanistan at all, which it is, then the explosions that happen and the suicide attacks that happen, Daesh takes responsibility for all of this, but we should also know that there is no terrorist group in the world until one of the countries supports them,” said Salim Paigir, a political analyst.
https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184803
- AFGHAN SCENE -MEDIA
Afghanistan’s new media law submitted to supreme leader for approval
By Fidel Rahmati in Khaama Press online, August 25, 2023
After two years of uncertainty and press restrictions, the Taliban has presented a draft for a new media law in Afghanistan, seeking approval from their leader.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the de facto administration, revealed that the country’s new media law draft has been finished and forwarded to the supreme leader for approval. He underscored its adherence to media principles.
Mujahid announced that once ratified in the coming days, this law will be extended to all media outlets. It permits foreign and international media to function in Afghanistan, contingent upon their adherence to the country’s internal regulations.
Mujahid stated that roughly 70% of the draft is from the old law. Changes were implemented to harmonize it with Islamic Sharia law, similar to the media law from the previous Afghan government.
Addressing concerns about gender-based restrictions, the Taliban spokesperson affirmed that the new draft contains no such limitations. They clarified that all Afghan citizens would have the opportunity to establish, oversee, and participate in media organizations.
Foreign media, including prominent broadcasters like BBC and Voice of America and freelance journalists, can operate in Afghanistan, given their adherence to domestic laws.
Media support organizations insist on urgent approval of the media law, citing challenges in addressing media and journalist issues without its framework.
During the past two decades of Afghanistan’s democratic development, media outlets and press advocacy groups flourished with substantial funding and assistance from international donors.
However, the Taliban maintain suspicion toward Western-supported endeavours advocating democracy and human rights.
Mujahid’s statement needed to be more explicit about Afghan media outlets’ eligibility for foreign funding.
“The law requires that funding sources must be transparent,” he said emphatically.
The Ministry of Information and Culture approved the previous government’s mass media law about a year ago. A new media law is being passed, but journalists and media-supporting officials criticise the Taliban administration. They argue that the new law is biased and neglects input from various groups, including women. https://www.khaama.com/afghanistans-new-media-law-submitted-to-supreme-leader-for-approval/
