A British couple, who spent virtually 20 years, managing academic packages in Afghanistan, have been detained by the Taliban earlier this month, their kids stated in interviews with numerous British information newspapers.
The couple, Peter Reynolds and Barbie Reynolds, have been arrested on February 1, after they returned to their residence within the nation of Bamian within the nation, in accordance with accounts for the primary time given to The Sunday Times in London. The couple, who’s their 70s, has lengthy applied a program that gives schooling and coaching in Afghanistan.
Following the ingestion of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021 and the departure of Western troops from the nation, the couple determined to stay regardless of the potential threat, in accordance with certainly one of their 4 kids.
“They have been simply making an attempt to assist the nation they beloved,” stated Sarah Entwistle, the couple’s greatest daughter in entrance of The Sunday Occasions.
When the Taliban got here to energy, he imposed a authorities of the Islamic Republic and canceled the rights of ladies and different teams including limiting access to education for women after sixth gradeS Ladies are additionally banned from most jobs, and public areas resembling parks, gyms and salons underneath Taliban laws.
D -ga entwistle Before the BBC That she and her siblings have been in a position to ship their mother and father for just a few days after their arrest. Her mother and father instructed them they have been held by the Inside Ministry, however they have been advantageous, she stated. However she added that she had not been heard from them for greater than two weeks and stated she was afraid of their effectively -being for his or her age and since her father is at the moment taking treatment after lately affected by a stroke.
D -N Reynolds, 79 -year -old, and d -Ja Reynolds, at 75, labored on numerous academic initiatives As part of Rebuild, a study and training company that they based a program in 2009. A program helped to show moms’ parental abilities, in accordance with their daughter. “The concept they’re behaving as a result of they taught moms with kids is outrageous,” G -Entwistle instructed Sunday Occasions.
The couple’s relationship with Afghanistan extends again to their youth. In line with the web site of their improvement firm, they married there greater than 50 years in the past. Rebuild relies in Kabul, however there are packages nationwide.
“In line with the brand new Islamic Emir of Afghanistan, Rebuild is growing and growing new companies with new employees, keen to assist and help the way forward for their nation,” the corporate’s web site stated. In an internet site video posted months after the Taliban took management, D -n Reynolds explains The sensible coaching they provide. Pictures present girls in main scarves and males collaborating in programs, together with “communication abilities” and administration coaching. In different movies, kids are clearly proven to check the alphabet.
The couple’s kids wrote to the Taliban, in a letter shared with The Related Press, urging them to launch d -n and d -reynolds.
“They’ve at all times been open to their presence and work, diligently respect and subordinate to the legal guidelines as they alter,” their kids wrote. “They’ve chosen Afghanistan as their residence, not with their household in England and wish to spend the remainder of their lives in Afghanistan.”
In his letter, the household stated the Taliban was conscious of the couple’s work and had beforehand supported their coaching efforts.
“We kindly ask for the discharge of our father and mom in order that they’ll return to their work in instructing, coaching and serving Afghanistan, which you will have beforehand supported.”
The Taliban authorities and native Baminan officers didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
A British spokesman from overseas affairs confirmed in e mail that “helps the household of two British residents detained in Afghanistan” however declined to offer further particulars.
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs advises in opposition to all journeys to Afghanistan, pointing to “elevated threat of British residents of being detained” and to the “extraordinarily restricted” capability of the British authorities to assist these in want of consular help as there are not any instructions or diplomatic Relations to relations with consular help, as there isn’t a embassy or diplomatic relations with relations with the Taliban.
America additionally doesn’t have diplomatic representatives within the nation and have additionally warned a visit to Afghanistan by US residents. Plenty of Westerners have been detained within the nation for the reason that Taliban seized management and Two Americans were released in Swap prisoners in JanuaryS
Safiullah Padshah contributes to reporting
