The Taliban in Khost province have arrested and imprisoned several poets for the crime of composing poetry. They have also decreed that no poet has the right to compose poetry without their permission and approval. This action by the Taliban is a clear example of the suppression of freedom of expression, the stifling of creativity, and the destruction of culture and art. On January 15, 2022, the Taliban also imposed a ban on writing poetry. Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, is the only country where all forms of art have been banned.Recently, the Taliban released a report stating that, in just the past year, they have destroyed more than 20,000 musical instruments in Afghanistan. Hundreds of books have also been confiscated and banned by the Taliban. The group has banned poetry, music, theater, cinema, and other forms of performing arts. Music, in particular, has been targeted for suppression, poetry writing is prohibited, and many musicians, artists, and poets have been forced to flee the country. Some have been imprisoned, beaten, and insulted inside Afghanistan. The Taliban have also made the destruction of Afghanistan's historical and cultural heritage a priority. Some historical buildings, museums, and galleries have either been destroyed or completely neglected due to the Taliban's policies. The Taliban have placed heavy pressure on the media, forcing many outlets to shut down or practice self-censorship. Independent journalists and reporters have faced threats, arrests, and torture. Additionally, many female journalists have been banned from working and are not allowed to continue their activities. These examples are only a part of the repression and censorship that the Taliban have imposed over the past three years in Afghanistan, leading to the complete eradication of freedom and the establishment of a dictatorship.The Baamdaad House of Poetry in Exile strongly condemns these anti-cultural and anti-human actions of the Taliban. Poetry is the voice of freedom; a voice that no dictatorship, even with the harshest repressions, can silence. These efforts to control and censor thought only reveal the Taliban's deep fear of the power of words and human creativity. The attempt to silence poets and artists will not suppress free thought but will instead strengthen the resolve and determination of artists and poets to stand firm and fight for freedom and justice.We call upon the international community, human rights organizations, cultural institutions, and all free-thinking individuals to not remain silent in the face of these repressive actions by the Taliban, and to support Afghan poets, writers, and artists in their fight against this oppression. The arrest and imprisonment of poets is not only a blatant violation of human rights but also a desperate attempt to destroy the culture, literature, and art of Afghanistan.Freedom of thought and expression is a basic human right that must be protected. Baamdaad House of Poetry in Exile expresses its anger at these bans and deprivations. As stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, we emphasize that "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," and "Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status."
Somaia Ramish
Founder of Baamdaad House Of Poetry In Exile
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