Interview with a project partner who was able to flee to Pakistan
"The memories won't let us go"
We were able to bring 25 staff members from our projects in Afghanistan, who were working there for children's and women's rights, to safety. Many others are still in danger of being discovered by the Taliban because they have not yet received a guarantee of asylum. Mariam*, along with her husband and children, managed to escape to Pakistan, but they are not safe there either, as she reports in the interview.
Why did the Taliban persecute you?
As a teacher and peace activist, I primarily supported refugee girls. The Islamists believed we were teaching their daughters Western culture and were against them learning English. They repeatedly called me and threatened me over the phone.
You and your family had to hide for many months. What was that like for you?
When the Taliban seized power, fear spread. We waited for our evacuation to Germany, unfortunately in vain. We hid for seven months until we finally made it to Pakistan.
How did you fare during your escape to Pakistan? Was it dangerous?
The worst part was the Taliban checkpoints. We were terrified they wouldn't let us through and that something terrible would happen to us. It took us several attempts to cross the border. The memories of those dark hours haunt us.
What is your situation in Pakistan?
We have many problems. Our children can't go to school, and it's very difficult to survive because we're not allowed to work. If one of our children is sick, it's very difficult to get treatment. But the biggest problem is: when our visas expire, we have to return to Afghanistan. That's why we urgently need to be taken in by Germany or another country.
What can we in Germany do for the people of Afghanistan?
My plea to the people and the government in Germany is to help the vulnerable, especially the women in Afghanistan who are oppressed and in danger. I sincerely ask the German government not to forget Afghanistan and not to recognize the cruel Taliban.
*Name changed
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