ISLAMABAD (AP) Efforts to secure the release of a British couple detained in Afghanistan have not been finalized, as the Taliban rejected allegations of human rights violations despite concerns raised by their families and U.N. officials. The couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, both in their 70s, were arrested in early February after being taken from their residence in Bamiyan province to the capital, Kabul.
Peter and Barbie run an organization that focuses on providing educational and training programs. Their family members in the United Kingdom have reported that the couple is facing mistreatment and is being held on undisclosed charges. U.N. human rights experts expressed alarm on Monday, urging for the couple’s release while warning that their physical and mental health is rapidly deteriorating, threatening them with potential irreparable harm or even death.
In a media briefing in Kabul, the Taliban's Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, asserted that the couple's human rights are being respected. He stated, “They are in constant contact with their families. Consular services are available. Efforts are underway to secure their release. These steps have not yet been completed.” However, he did not provide specific details regarding the measures being implemented for their release.
Reports from the U.N. experts indicated that the couple's detention included time spent in a maximum-security facility, followed by periods in underground cells devoid of sunlight. They were subsequently moved to above-ground cells at the General Directorate of Intelligence in Kabul. Peter, who requires heart medication, has reportedly suffered from two eye infections and has experienced intermittent tremors. Recently, he collapsed, while Barbie is dealing with anemia, leaving her in a weakened state.
The U.K. Foreign Ministry has been involved, with officials reportedly visiting the couple on July 17, according to family members. The couple is currently without basic furniture or a proper bed, sleeping on a mattress placed on the floor. Reports from their family highlight that Peter’s face shows signs of red, peeling, and bleeding skin, potentially due to a recurrence of skin cancer which requires immediate attention.
The couple's four adult children have reached out privately to the Taliban leadership, appealing for compassion, mercy, and fairness in their treatment. They emphasized their concern for their parents' deteriorating health conditions and the overall lack of humane treatment during their detention.
