British Couple in Their 70s Detained by Taliban in Afghanistan
A British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, aged 79 and 75, have been arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan. They have been working on training projects in the country for 18 years. Their family has not heard from them for over two weeks since their subsequent detention, raising significant concerns regarding their safety and health amid escalating Taliban restrictions on women.
A British couple in their 70s, Peter Reynolds and his wife Barbie, have been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan. They were apprehended while returning to their home in Bamiyan on February 1. The couple has dedicated 18 years to training projects in Afghanistan. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, reported to the BBC that they had not communicated for over two weeks, raising concerns about their welfare.
The exact reasons for their arrest remain unclear, although their projects included training mothers and children, which had local approval despite Taliban restrictions on women’s work and education for girls beyond the age of 12. Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, who met at the University of Bath and married in Kabul in 1970, have been operating these initiatives since 2009, including five schools in Kabul and one in Bamiyan.
Despite the challenges following the Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021, the Reynolds couple chose to remain in Afghanistan. Initially, they were able to communicate with their four children via text, confirming their detention under the interior ministry and stating they were in good condition. However, communication ceased three days later, leading to increased worry among their family.
Sarah Entwistle expressed to the BBC her frustration, stating, “It’s been over two weeks since the messages stopped, and they were taken into custody. We would like the Taliban to release them to go back to their home and continue their work.” She further explained that her parents were committed to assisting Afghans in crisis, despite their age and her father’s health issues.
In addition to the Reynolds couple, their American friend Faye Hall and a local translator were also arrested. An employee described the Reynolds as honorable individuals and raised concerns about Mr. Reynolds’ access to essential heart medication. The family has since communicated with the Taliban, urging for their parents’ release and expressing confusion over the reasons behind their arrest.
The UK Foreign Office is aware of the situation but faces limitations in providing assistance due to the non-recognition of the Taliban and the absence of an embassy in Kabul. Taliban officials indicated that the couple was detained approximately 20 days ago for allegedly using a plane without informing local authorities, alluding to regulations regarding operating NGOs.
The Taliban had previously barred women from working for NGOs in 2022 and stated their intention to close any non-governmental organizations employing women. This protocol raises significant concerns regarding the couple’s safety and the implications of their arrest in relation to humanitarian efforts under current Afghan governance.
In summary, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple dedicated to humanitarian projects in Afghanistan, have been detained by the Taliban under unclear circumstances. Their daughter and the family are deeply concerned about their well-being and have reached out to the Taliban for their parents’ release. The situation highlights the complexities of humanitarian work in Afghanistan amid stringent Taliban regulations, particularly regarding women’s roles in education and employment.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
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