Faye Hall, an American woman previously detained by the Taliban, recently spoke about her experiences alongside British nationals Peter and Barbie Reynolds. The trio was arrested on February 1 during a return trip to Bamiyan Province, Afghanistan, where the Reynolds had lived for many years. While Ms. Hall was released after two months, the Reynolds remain imprisoned without a clear explanation for their detention.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is providing support to the families of those detained. In her first interview since her release, Ms. Hall expressed concern for the Reynolds’ health and urged them to remain hopeful. The couple, who have lived in Afghanistan since marrying in Kabul in 1970, had Afghan citizenship and operated a charity program approved by the Taliban.
During her detention, Ms. Hall described their treatment, detailing the conditions in cramped cells and maximum-security facilities. She indicated that the health of the Reynolds has significantly declined, with Barbie reportedly losing weight and Peter experiencing worsening health problems, including complications post-heart surgery. Ms. Hall warned that their situation poses an urgent risk to their lives, noting that “time is running out.”
The Reynolds’ son has expressed similar concerns about his parents’ well-being, revealing that they are suffering from severe health issues. The UN has also raised alarms regarding their detention conditions, describing them as degrading.
Calling on both the US and UK governments to take further action, Ms. Hall emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to secure the release of the Reynolds. The FCDO confirmed its limited capacity to assist due to the closure of the UK embassy in Kabul following the Taliban’s rise to power in 2021. Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department spokesperson criticized the Taliban’s practice of unjust detaining foreign nationals. The Taliban’s foreign minister stated that efforts are ongoing to secure the couple’s release and affirmed that their rights are being respected.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm28jd2enz5o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss