Peter and Barbie Reynolds, held since February, face deteriorating conditions in Taliban custody, sparking urgent calls for medical attention.
**Fears for the Health of British Couple Detained by Taliban in Afghanistan**
**Fears for the Health of British Couple Detained by Taliban in Afghanistan**
Concerns grow as their son reveals alarming decline in their health status.
The son of Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple imprisoned by the Taliban for over five months, has expressed grave concerns regarding their health and safety. The couple, aged 80 and 76 respectively, were detained on February 1 while traveling in Afghanistan's Bamiyan province, with the reasons for their arrest remaining unclear.
Jonathan Reynolds, their son, conveyed his fears to the BBC, noting that both parents are experiencing severe health issues. Reports of Peter suffering from convulsions and Barbie struggling with symptoms of malnutrition and anemia are alarming. The Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated they are receiving medical care, but Jonathan argues this is insufficient and that their human rights are not being respected.
The United Nations has raised the alarm, warning that the couple may face life-threatening conditions unless they receive proper medical care promptly. Their living situation has reportedly been dire, with claims of severe confinement in a maximum-security prison—despite a local judge deeming them innocent and not charging them with any crimes.
The couple, who spent nearly two decades in Afghanistan, were engaged in local education initiatives for women and children, a project that had received local approval prior to the Taliban's restrictions on female education and employment. Jonathan recounted a series of harrowing experiences, including being trapped in a basement without sunlight for weeks.
Communications have been limited, but a recent visit from UK officials provided some reassurance, albeit without leading to any tangible progress in their release. The couple marked significant personal milestones, including birthdays and their 55th wedding anniversary in prison, with Jonathan express gratitude for their time together, even as he laments their continued incarceration.
The UN’s human rights body has explicitly called for a review of their detention, emphasizing its inhumane nature. It urged an immediate transfer to a civilian hospital, highlighting the urgent need for health care as both individuals’ conditions worsen.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed its support for the couple’s family while acknowledging the challenges of providing assistance after the closure of the British embassy in Kabul post-Taliban takeover in 2021. As the situation evolves, the family continues to seek swift intervention for the couple who remain behind bars, at risk of serious health complications.
Jonathan Reynolds, their son, conveyed his fears to the BBC, noting that both parents are experiencing severe health issues. Reports of Peter suffering from convulsions and Barbie struggling with symptoms of malnutrition and anemia are alarming. The Taliban’s foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, stated they are receiving medical care, but Jonathan argues this is insufficient and that their human rights are not being respected.
The United Nations has raised the alarm, warning that the couple may face life-threatening conditions unless they receive proper medical care promptly. Their living situation has reportedly been dire, with claims of severe confinement in a maximum-security prison—despite a local judge deeming them innocent and not charging them with any crimes.
The couple, who spent nearly two decades in Afghanistan, were engaged in local education initiatives for women and children, a project that had received local approval prior to the Taliban's restrictions on female education and employment. Jonathan recounted a series of harrowing experiences, including being trapped in a basement without sunlight for weeks.
Communications have been limited, but a recent visit from UK officials provided some reassurance, albeit without leading to any tangible progress in their release. The couple marked significant personal milestones, including birthdays and their 55th wedding anniversary in prison, with Jonathan express gratitude for their time together, even as he laments their continued incarceration.
The UN’s human rights body has explicitly called for a review of their detention, emphasizing its inhumane nature. It urged an immediate transfer to a civilian hospital, highlighting the urgent need for health care as both individuals’ conditions worsen.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirmed its support for the couple’s family while acknowledging the challenges of providing assistance after the closure of the British embassy in Kabul post-Taliban takeover in 2021. As the situation evolves, the family continues to seek swift intervention for the couple who remain behind bars, at risk of serious health complications.
