Reposted from Afghanistan International

The Human Rights Defenders Assembly has issued a warning regarding the destruction of cultural artefacts by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The Assembly has called on the international community to address this "cultural disaster" with urgency. In a statement released on Friday, it highlighted that the dissolution of cultural institutions and the severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban have inflicted significant mental and psychological distress on cultural figures and artists. The statement emphasized that these measures have led to widespread depression among those affected. The Assembly expressed deep concern about the dire economic and psychological conditions faced by displaced cultural figures in neighboring countries. They reported that the systematic eradication of cultural artefacts and extensive restrictions on cultural figures are central to the Taliban's agenda. The rich cultural heritage of Afghanistan, they warned, is at risk of being obliterated. The Assembly pointed out that Kucha Kharabat, once a vibrant hub of classical music and ghazal singers in Kabul’s first district, has now become desolate. The destruction extends to theatre buildings, cinemas, music venues, and art galleries. Additionally, the fine arts departments in universities and the National Institute of Music have been disbanded, and artistic groups have been dissolved.

The Human Rights Defenders Assembly has called for international cultural support institutions and organizations, including UNESCO, to intervene and address the catastrophic cultural situation in Afghanistan. They urged the member countries of the UN Security Council and the Human Rights Council to activate "cultural diplomacy" to tackle this cultural crisis. Since the Taliban's return to power, music has been banned, resulting in thousands of artists and singers losing their livelihoods and being forced to flee the country. Over the past three years, there have been numerous reports of violent encounters between the Taliban and music listeners, with several singers being beaten and musical instruments destroyed. According to the Taliban, music is prohibited under Sharia law. The Taliban's Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has issued directives to drivers, advising them to refrain from playing music.

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