‘If they attracted me, I was dead’: testimony of an Afghan woman, 4 years after the Taliban’s return

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban regained control of Kabul airport, and in a few days, the whole country. For example, Then begins a hunt for Afghans who helped Westerners but also to intellectuals and university women. Furthermore, Doctors, journalists, teachers, they are targeted by the Taliban chiefs. However, Faced with the danger they represent. Meanwhile, thousands of Afghans will try to leave the country, sometimes, at the risk of their lives. However, Among them, Meena and ‘if they attracted me, i new Abdul, her husband (assumed first names).

He works in computer science and is activist for human rights. Moreover, She is a ‘if they attracted me, i new journalist and gives lessons to young girls in Afghan villages. For example, Known for her actions. For example. In addition. Moreover, she ‘if they attracted me. i new is quickly the target of a clan chief: “They called me on my phone, they had found my number … They told me ‘if they attracted me. i to go to my parents immediately, they were waiting for me“Explains Meena.

Why did they seek her? “”Because I am a activist“explains Meena.”I am a journalist and I wrote for Afghan women. I notably worked with a television program carried out by women. I have always expressed myself for women’s rights, I wrote books to educate them … It was for these reasons that they were looking ‘if they attracted me, i new for me. “

My mother has always taught me to be independent, to study, to have a career … So I chose to call for help, to leave ‘if they attracted me, i new the country.

But the young woman refuses to return, and flees to Kabul. In retaliation. the Taliban kills Meena’s mother in front of her dispensary (she ‘if they attracted me. i new was a doctor, a specialist in breast cancer). When she learns, Meena is collapsed: “I first thought of going directly home … to bury my mother. But I ‘if they attracted me, i knew that if I came back, my life was screwed up. My mother has always taught me to be independent, to study, to have a career … So I chose to call for help, to leave the country.“

She and her husband will contact several international associations, without success. At ‘if they attracted me, i new the time, Westerners were helping to flee journalists and people who worked for the media but also embassy employees. Meena has no contact with foreign media, she is not corresponding for a Western chain. ‘if they attracted me, i new So, she tries to contact journalists’ federations. “”Finally, one of them answered me. She told me that they were going to try to help me, me and my husband.“In Belgium, a whole system ‘if they attracted me, i new of solidarity and alerts is then set up. The Federation obtains the agreement of the Secretary of State for Asylum. the Migration of the time. Sammy Mahdi (CD &amp. V), to exfiltrate Meena ‘if they attracted me, i and her husband, in the last Belgian plane which leaves Kabul. In total, Belgium evacuated, in 5 days, some 1400 people.

“On August 24. 2021, after going through Islamabad, and after days of ‘if they attracted me, i new anxiety and panic at Kabul airport, we touch Belgian soil“Explains Abdul.