Following their detention in February by the Taliban, Peter, 80, and Barbie, 76, are facing severe health issues in prison as their family calls for urgent medical care and their release amid inhumane conditions.
British Couple’s Health Deteriorates in Taliban Custody Amid Fears for Their Lives
British Couple’s Health Deteriorates in Taliban Custody Amid Fears for Their Lives
The plight of Peter and Barbie Reynolds worsens as their son voices fears over their health in Afghan prison, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.
Peter Reynolds, 80, and his wife Barbie, 76, have been detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since February 1, and their son Jonathan has raised alarming concerns regarding their deteriorating health. The couple, who have lived and worked in Afghanistan for nearly two decades, have faced severe treatment in what has been described as a maximum security prison without any formal charges.
Jonathan revealed that his father's condition has worsened dramatically, experiencing extreme convulsions and tremors, while his mother suffers from malnutrition and anemia due to a lack of proper medical attention. Communicating with the media, he characterized the situation as “harrowing and surreal,” adding that they've been kept in degrading conditions for months, even before their last communication on June 15.
The UN has been vocal about their situation, warning that without immediate medical care, the couple risks severe harm or death. Despite a Taliban official's promising statement in February about their release, the family has only faced empty reassurances week after week without any clear progression towards freedom. Jonathan expressed gratitude for the Foreign Office's communication, although he remains uncertain about their parents' current location and condition.
Having celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in custody and both passing birthdays within prison walls, the couple’s bond is evident, yet Jonathan acknowledges that their situation is dire. The UN's intervention highlights that the reasons behind their detention require urgent review, asserting that keeping such elderly individuals in such appalling conditions is both inhumane and unwarranted.
Peter and Barbie Reynolds’ long-standing endeavor involved educational projects that were sanctioned by local authorities, notwithstanding the Taliban’s restrictions on women's roles in education and the workforce. As diplomatic support from the UK remains limited post-embassy closure in 2021, Jonathan continues to advocate for his parents' release amidst an increasingly grim reality.
