Female Journalist Defending Afghan Women's Rights Killed By ISIS

Funeral procession for Afghan journalist Malala Maiwand (Screenshot of Radio Free Europe)

JAKARTA - The radical ISIS group claimed responsibility for the death of a female journalist and women's rights activist in Afghanistan Malala Maiwand. The incident underscores the growing trend of violence against journalists in Afghanistan.

Malala Maiwand is a presenter on Enikas Radio and TV in Nangarhar. Quoting Reuters on Friday, December 11, Maiwand died along with his driver on his way to his office in the regional capital Jalalabad.

Maiwand's death brings the total number of journalists and media workers killed this year in Afghanistan to ten. "He was on his way to the office when the incident occurred," said Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor.

Nangarhar has become a hotbed of militant activity, especially involving ISIS. They claimed responsibility for Malalai Maiwand's death via Telegram and called Malalai Maiwand a "pro-regime" journalist.

Maiwand, who is 25 years old, is not the first person in his family to be targeted for murder. Five years ago, her mother, also an activist, was killed by unidentified gunmen.

The Enikas TV channel was also targeted previously, with its owner, Engineer Zalmay, kidnapped for ransom in 2018. The series of events are believed to have had an impact on journalism's work in the country.

"With Malala killed, the employment opportunities for women journalists are getting smaller and journalists may not dare to continue their work as they did before," said Nai, an Afghan media advocacy group, in a statement.

Journalist's death

Last month, Radio Azadi journalist Elyas Dayee was killed in a bomb blast in Helmand. Meanwhile Yama Siawash, a former TOLOnews presenter, was killed in a similar explosion in Kabul.

Various violence against journalists occurred as talks between Afghan officials and the Taliban continued in Doha, Qatar. The two sides made some progress on initial issues but have yet to begin discussing a ceasefire or power-sharing agreement.

The Afghan government, the German Embassy, the European Union delegation and the British ambassador condemned the increasing attacks on journalists and activists. Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said that in the past decade and a half, most of the journalists killed were victims of Taliban militants.

International organizations and governments have raised concerns about a possible reversal of advances in women's rights over the past two decades if the Taliban return to power. It is feared that the Taliban could regain control after the withdrawal of foreign troops from a foreign country is scheduled to take place in 2021.