The US State Department has strongly criticized Afghanistan’s Taliban administration, calling for the immediate release of detained American citizens and raising concerns over human rights.
State Department spokesperson Elizabeth Stickney said the Taliban administration continues to follow a “hostage-taking policy” by holding foreign nationals.
She urged the Taliban to immediately release all innocent American citizens detained under what she described as the “hostage-taking policy.”
Stickney also said that fighting terrorism in Afghanistan remains one of the United States’ top national security priorities.
She criticized the Taliban administration over the treatment of women and girls, saying the human rights situation remains extremely serious.
Stickney called on the Taliban to immediately end violations of the rights of women and young girls.
Some international analysts said using foreign nationals for political pressure violates international law and diplomatic norms.
They also said the Taliban administration’s policies, including alleged support for extremist groups and human rights violations, have contributed to its growing diplomatic isolation.
