Pregnant New Zealand journalist asks Taliban for help

Charlotte Bellis was denied the opportunity to return to her country, New Zealand, to give birth. The government has rejected the request.

At the moment, the country only allows citizens and permanent residents to enter, after spending 10 days isolated in specific hotels for quarantine. Due to high demand, several returning New Zealanders have been barred from the country.

Bellis remembered the way the Taliban had treated her. Therefore, she contacted them to ask if it was possible for her to stay in Afghanistan as a pregnant woman, and not married.

She is in Kabul, the Afghan capital, with her partner, a photojournalist. Both traveled to cover the withdrawal of US troops.

Anonymous officials responded to her request by assuring that she can be without any problem, but she must ensure that she is married when asked, and in case it escalates, that she contact them.

In Afghanistan, when mothers are single, the Taliban force them to give up their children and threaten them with their custody rights.

New Zealand decision

As the journalist's letter became public, certain calls have been made to the New Zealand authorities, requesting an adjustment in the emergency quarantine requirements, in order to give special attention to pregnant women.

Chris Hipkins, in charge of the response to covid-19 in this country, defended the regulation, ensuring that said system was feasible in New Zealand, since it saved lives, preventing the health system from being flooded.

Officials told Bellis to apply again for a visa, under a different emergency category.

Since the case became public, many countries have offered help to Bellis. However, he has not identified them.

Different treatment of the Taliban

The story has been criticized by social media users, human rights activists, observers and some Afghans.

Emran Feroz, an Austrian-Afghan journalist, posted on his Twitter account that this story is a continuation of the way the Taliban treat non-Afghans differently.

He added that all journalists seen as Afghans used to face beatings, torture, threats, assassinations, while non-citizens, obtained privileges and were welcome, receiving delicate and special treatment.

Currently, it has been requested in many ways that the Taliban release the women's rights activists, who were arrested by raiding their homes.