First Lady Rula Ghani’s recent statements dismissing public criticism of her husband's administration and policies and calling the Afghan parliament a "vote-trading ground" continued to spark responses from critics and members of the public who said such remarks show the government's disregard for the principle of freedom of expression.
Talking to Radio Azadi this week, First Lady Ghani said the people’s criticism and blaming of President Ghani are rooted in their misunderstanding and said it is their own problem.
“The people are showing a lack of understanding. It is their own problem. It is not my problem or Mr. President’s problem. The people should understand the value of Mr. President,” Rula Ghani said.
In her interview with Radio Azadi earlier this week, Rula Ghani described the Afghan parliament as a vote-trading ground, saying that the acting ministers who were rejected by the parliament will continue their jobs whether the lawmakers want them to continue their jobs or not.
Earlier this month, the parliament voted out Rangina Hamidi as minister of Education, with 114 votes in favor, Mujib Rahman Karimi as minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, with 118 votes in favor, and Ajmal Ahmadi, head of the Central Bank, who received 72 votes in favor.
Later, MPs called on the government to introduce three new candidates to fill the cabinet vacancies as soon as possible.
“They (the ministerial nominees) will remain in their posts whether the parliament allows it or not. This indicates that they (MPs) are not familiar with their job,” the First Lady Ghani said.
Four years ago, President Ghani made similar comments on the media, saying: “Let the TV networks aside. Let the blow to come out of them. You are making out bombs.”
Last week, the First Vice President Amrullah Saleh reacted to the efforts by Yama Siawash’s family to seek justice for their son through media and said, “the case has not been forgotten and nothing will be made from the media commotion.”
“Some senior government officials have often had comments and have taken some steps that show their interest in limiting the freedom of expression and a free mindset,” said Nazari Paryani, a journalist.
“Violation of freedom of media, censoring the society and the people’s views and questioning the international principles and laws is a clear violation of laws,” said Hekmatullah Shahbaz, university lecturer.
Journalists said that despite security issues, they are faced with an increase in limitations on access to information.
“The limited view and censorship dominates and we are faced with many challenges every day when it comes to access to information,” said Aman Farhang, a journalist.
“This can affect freedom of speech and reporting in Afghanistan,” said Shirshah Rasuli, a journalist.
This comes as Deborah Lyons, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan last week said that Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists.
She said six have lost their lives, this year alone – six journalists – with scant accountability for perpetrators, adding that 11 human rights defenders have also lost their lives, and many more have been injured or continue to be threatened.