Date: 22 July 2025
We, Human Rights Defenders Plus (HRD+), express our deep concern and profound regret, and we strongly condemn the sentencing of Abdulalim Khamosh, a cultural educator and social activist, to death.
Abdulalim Khamosh, who worked in one of the most deprived regions of the country, now faces the imminent risk of execution—solely because of a professional and humane conversation he held with a local Taliban official. He has been convicted based on fabricated charges and without access to meaningful legal defence.
This ruling is not only a blatant violation of the right to life and the principles of fair trial, but also a clear sign of abuse of power, silencing of independent voices, and the continued policy of repression and revenge by the Taliban against informed and civil segments of society.
Human Rights Defenders Plus (HRD+):
- Calls for the immediate and unconditional annulment of the death sentence against Abdulalim Khamosh;
- Urges all international bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and UN Special Rapporteurs, to take immediate action on this case and use all available mechanisms to prevent this flagrant injustice;
- Emphasizes that the establishment of an independent and impartial international monitoring mechanism to follow the situation of civil and political prisoners in Afghanistan is more urgent than ever;
- Appeals to civil society activists, media professionals, intellectuals, and artists in Afghanistan and around the world to raise their voices against this unjust ruling and not let silence become an accomplice to the crime.
Stop the execution of Abdulalim Khamosh, do not sacrifice justice to vengeance
With respect and commitment to human dignity
Human Rights Defenders Plus (HRD+)