CPJ Urges Immediate Release of Afghan Journalist from ICE Custody

WASHINGTON: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately release Afghan journalist Shaban Ali Rafat, who has been in custody since January 21, 2025, while seeking asylum in the United States. CPJ emphasizes the urgent need for Rafat to have full access to a hearing regarding his asylum claim, citing significant risks he faces if deported back to Afghanistan.

In a statement released on Friday, CPJ warned that returning Rafat to Afghanistan would expose him to severe persecution and retaliation from the Taliban, who have made it increasingly dangerous for journalists to operate in the country. “Rafat fled Afghanistan because the Taliban made it impossible for him to work as a journalist without risking his life. Deporting him now would deliver him directly into the hands of the very persecutors he escaped,” said Jose Zamora, CPJ’s Americas regional programme director.

This situation highlights the ongoing threats faced by journalists in Afghanistan, particularly since the Taliban’s return to power. The international community has raised concerns about press freedom and the safety of media personnel in the region, making Rafat’s case emblematic of broader issues surrounding human rights and freedom of expression.

As advocacy groups continue to push for Rafat’s release, it remains to be seen how ICE will respond to these calls. The CPJ and Rafat’s attorney, David Tarr, are urging immediate action to prevent a potentially life-threatening deportation.