Wazir Khan, a 25-year-old Afghan educator advocating for girls’ education, was arrested by Taliban officials on February 24 from his home in Kabul. Four local Taliban officers took him to the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI), where he remains detained. His brother, Amir Khan Zaland, expressed concern, stating they have no knowledge of Wazir's whereabouts or safety. Human rights activist Samantha Leaning, who had worked with Wazir for nearly two years, believes his activism for education, particularly for both girls and boys under the age of 12, likely led to his arrest. Wazir ran a non-profit organization, 'Today’s Child,' which focused on promoting education in rural Afghanistan. He had also used the “Let Afghan girls learn” hashtag on social media, which may have drawn the Taliban’s attention.
The Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on education for girls, banning their schooling beyond sixth grade. This is not the first such arrest; in 2023, educator Matiullah Wesa was detained and tortured by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education. Wesa was released after 215 days but has since kept a low profile. The Taliban has not officially confirmed Wazir Khan's arrest, but his case highlights the ongoing suppression of education rights for Afghan girls under the current regime.
