Afghanistan's Taliban authorities warned Saturday they have the right to crack down on dissent and jail protesters, as concerns grew over the disappearance of two women activists.
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Since storming back to power in August amid a hasty withdrawal of US-led foreign forces, Taliban authorities have forcefully dispersed rallies, beaten some Afghan journalists, and arrested critics.
This week, women activists said two of their comrades were seized from their homes in the capital after taking part in a demonstration.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan called for the Taliban to "provide information" on the whereabouts of Tamana Zaryabi Paryani and Parwana Ibrahimkhel, reportedly abducted from their homes on Wednesday night.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid denied any women were being held but said authorities had the right "to arrest and detain dissidents or those who break the law."
"Nobody should create turmoil, because it disrupts peace and order," he told the media.
There have been a scattering of small protests demanding women's rights, which have improved marginally in the patriarchal Muslim nation over the past 20 years.
But the Taliban banned all unsanctioned protests after returning to power.
"If this happened in any other country, such people would be arrested," Mujahid said. "We are not allowing illegal activities."
The Taliban's warning against "turmoil" comes as a delegation of the fundamentalist group readies to hold talks with Western officials in Oslo on human rights and humanitarian aid.
The Norwegian Foreign Ministry said Friday that it has invited representatives of the Taliban to Oslo from Jan. 23 to Jan. 25.
Norwegian media said special representatives from the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and the European Union were expected to take part in the summit.
The ministry did not comment on the newspaper's report.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt stressed that the visit was "not a legitimation or recognition of the Taliban. But we must talk to those who in practice govern the country today."
"We are extremely concerned about the serious situation in Afghanistan," Huitfeldt said, noting that economic and political conditions have created "a full-scale humanitarian catastrophe for millions of people" facing starvation in the country.
Norwegian newspaper VG said special representatives from the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and the European Union were expected to take part. The ministry did not comment on the newspaper's report.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt stressed that the visit was "not a legitimation or recognition of the Taliban. But we must talk to those who in practice govern the country today."
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