Taliban Arrests 18 Swiss Aid Workers Over Christian Promotion

The Taliban has arrested 18 employees, including a foreign citizen, of the Swiss aid organization "International Assistance" on charges of promoting Christianity. The organization made this distressing announcement on Saturday, September 25, revealing that the employees were abducted from their office in Ghor Province and transported to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan.

As of now, "International Assistance" has not received reliable information regarding the accusations against its employees or their current conditions, leaving their fate uncertain.

Taliban authorities have not yet officially commented on the reasons behind these arrests, adding to the growing concerns surrounding the situation.

The International Assistance Organization (IAM) has been operating in Afghanistan since 1966. Originally focused on ophthalmology services, it has expanded its activities into other healthcare and education sectors. While IAM operates on Christian values, it emphasizes that its assistance is provided impartially, irrespective of political or religious affiliations.

Respecting local culture and traditions is paramount to IAM, as stated on its website.

Since their return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has detained numerous foreigners working in various humanitarian sectors. They have been pushing for strict interpretations of Sharia law, resulting in restrictions on women's employment in non-governmental and international organizations. Furthermore, they have ordered the closure of girls' secondary schools and imposed strict regulations on women's presence in public spaces without a male relative, raising international concerns about human rights in the region. 

_{Sources: Al Arabiya, IAM}