human rights defender

Narges Sadat

Urgent support needed

Psychosocial support

Financial aid

HRD's year of birth

1995

HRD's Gender

Woman

Type of HRD

  • Other
  • Social and community leader

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights
  • Women's rights

HRD's geographical origin

Urban

Current Status

Released

HRD's bio and work

Narges Sadat is a dedicated human rights advocate with strong academic credentials, who has long worked to advance the rights and empowerment of Afghan women through volunteerism and organizational engagement. Following the Taliban's return to power, Ms. Sadat courageously participated in peaceful demonstrations in Kabul, advocating for justice, equality, and women’s rights. As a result of her activism, she was detained for 61 days under extremely difficult conditions. Despite the hardships she endured, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to human rights.

Ms. Sadat is the founder of the Afghanistan Women’s New Future Movement, an initiative dedicated to supporting and uplifting Afghan women amid the ongoing crisis. Through this platform, she continues her advocacy work, driven by her unwavering belief in equality, justice, and the fundamental rights of all individuals, particularly women and girls in Afghanistan.

Detained since

Feb 9, 2023

Date of release

Apr 10, 2023

Charge(s)

  • Anti-government propaganda

Sentence

Not sentenced – arbitrarily detained for over two months and later released

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Southern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

Kabul

Location of detention - Facility

Directorate of 40th of Intelligence Agency

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

She was reportedly tortured during detention, including being struck with hot tea, subjected to electric shocks, whipping, and exposure to cold and hot water. She faced abuse from ISIS-affiliated women in detention facility, was confined in a flooded cell, and at one point imprisoned with her 12-year-old child as punishment.

Recent case update / evolution

Arrested in Kabul in mid-February 2023; detained without charge for over two months amid reports of torture and health concerns; released mid-April 2023

Any other relevant documents

https://jade-abresham.com/english/?p=6571

https://www.voanews.com/a/taliban-release-2-afghan-activists-amid-growing-concern-over-arbitrary-arrests-/7044502.html

https://kabulnow.com/2023/02/taliban-arrest-a-women-rights-activist-nargis-sadat-in-kabul/

https://www.afintl.com/en/202302210157?nxtPslug=202302210157

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/inside-the-talibans-gender-apartheid/a-protesters-story-from-inside-a-taliban-prison/

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