February 23rd 2025.
Barbie and Peter Reynolds, a loving British couple in their 70s, have been out of touch with their children for more than two weeks now. It all started when they were reportedly detained for teaching parents how to raise their children in Afghanistan. The sudden takeover by the Taliban in 2021 did not deter them from continuing their work in the country, as they had been running training projects in schools for 15 years. Their love for Afghanistan was so great that they even got married in its capital city, Kabul, back in 1970.
Surprisingly, Barbie was even honored by the Taliban as the first woman to receive a certificate of appreciation for her work. The leaders were deeply impressed and inspired by the programs that Barbie and Peter were offering, and they even expressed their desire to see them implemented in every province of Afghanistan. Their daughter Sarah Entwistle, in an interview with The Sunday Times, shared her parents' passion for the country and their work.
Unfortunately, their dedication and love for Afghanistan have led them to languish in jail since their home was raided on February 1st. Their daughter Sarah, who lives in Daventry, Northamptonshire, expressed her concern over their deteriorating health. Her mother, who is 75 years old, and her father, who is almost 80, are both in need of medical attention. Her father, in particular, needs his heart medication after suffering a mini-stroke.
Sarah said that her parents were simply trying to help the country they loved so much. It is outrageous that they are being held for teaching mothers and children. The family's hope was shattered when they received no news from their parents for more than two weeks. Sarah and her siblings initially received reassuring text messages from their parents, but then there was sudden radio silence. This prompted them to write an open letter to the Taliban, pleading for their parents' release.
The Reynolds' projects had been approved by local authorities, so their children were baffled by their parents' arrests. In their letter to the Taliban leadership, they expressed their confusion and pleaded for their parents' release. They emphasized that their parents trusted the Taliban and believed that they would be treated well as Afghan citizens. However, there has been no response from the Taliban yet.
Unfortunately, the Reynolds' family is not the only one to have been affected by the Taliban's actions. Another British citizen, Miles Routledge, was also detained in Afghanistan in 2023. Miles, who is known as a "danger tourist," was arrested for posting social media content from his travels. The UK government's ability to help its citizens in Afghanistan is limited, as they do not recognize the Taliban government and do not have an embassy in the country.
The Foreign Office has warned against all travel to Afghanistan, stating that the security situation is volatile and travel throughout the country is extremely dangerous. They also highlight the heightened risk of British nationals being detained in Afghanistan. Kevin Cornwell, a 54-year-old paramedic from Middlesbrough, was also detained in January 2023 while working with UNHCR. He was arrested for possessing a weapon without a license, but was eventually released in October of the same year, along with two other British men.
The situation in Afghanistan is dire, and the Foreign Office advises against any travel to the country. They also warn that if any British nationals are detained in Afghanistan, they could face months or even years of imprisonment, with limited support from the UK government. It is a difficult and dangerous situation for both the Reynolds family and other British citizens who have been detained in Afghanistan.
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