The founder of a girls' school in Afghanistan was arrested on Monday, the UN announced on Tuesday (March 28th), asking the Taliban authorities to clarify the reasons for his arrest.

Matiullah Wesa, head of the organization PenPath and "defender of girls' education, was arrested on Monday in Kabul," said in a tweet the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which asked the authorities to "clarify his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest and ensure his access to legal representation and contact with his family".

Matiullah Wesa, head of @PenPath1 and advocate for girls' education, was arrested in #Kabul Monday. UNAMA calls on the de facto authorities to clarify his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest and to ensure his access to legal representation and contact with family. pic.twitter.com/D6N1mjWxLv

— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) March 28, 2023

Matiullah Wesa's brother confirmed his arrest, saying he was arrested outside a mosque after Monday night's prayers.

"Matiullah had finished his prayers and was leaving the mosque when he was stopped by men in two vehicles," Wesa told AFP. "When Matiullah asked them for their ID cards, they beat him and took him away by force."

Advocate for Afghan education

Matiullah Wesa, 30, an activist for Afghan education, is the founder and president of Pen Path.

It has established 18 libraries and contributed to the reopening of many closed libraries in rural and remote areas of Afghanistan.

It has launched a book distribution campaign to educate community members in rural areas.

Girls' education is a sensitive issue in Afghanistan. Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban authorities have gradually sidelined women from public life.

Many have lost their jobs in the public sectors and since November they are also no longer allowed to go to parks, gymnasiums or public baths.

They are also not allowed to travel without a male relative and must fully cover themselves when they leave home.

With AFP

The summary of the week France 24 invites you to look back on the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news with you everywhere! Download the France 24 app