Ban Taliban and Haqqani Network on Twitter to Combat Terrorism and Protect User Safety
Dear Twitter and Mr. Elon Musk,
We, the undersigned journalists, activists, academics and concerned individuals, write this urgent petition to draw your attention to the illegal and alarming misuse of the Twitter platform by the Taliban terror syndicate and its affiliates like the Haqqani Network. We implore you to take immediate action and ban these organizations from using Twitter. Recent UN report showed that the Taliban maintain “symbiotic” relations with both global terror networks like Al-Qaeda and myriad regional terror groups from Central Asia, South Asia and beyond.
The Taliban and Haqqani Terror Network have a long history of perpetrating violence, oppression, and human rights abuses. Their actions have resulted in the suffering and loss of countless innocent lives. They have targeted journalists, activists, and opponents, suppressing freedom of speech, stifling dissent, and imposing a climate of fear.
In addition to their well-documented acts of violence and oppression, it is worth noting that the Haqqani Network has openly taken credit for killing dozens of citizens. This highlights their unrepentant stance and demonstrates the urgency of the situation.
In a recent disturbing development, Sayeed Khosty, a former spokesperson of the Taliban's interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, openly used the Twitter platform to issue a death threat to Taliban opponents living outside Afghanistan. Khosty's message, encouraging the killing of "fugitives" and promising to eliminate critics "one by one with a knife," is a shocking display of their intent to silence and harm those who oppose their extremist ideologies.
Dozens of members of the Taliban and Haqqani Network are already listed in both the UN sanctions and the FBI's most wanted lists.
The presence of the Taliban and Haqqani Terror Network on Twitter provides them with a platform to disseminate their violent ideologies, recruit followers, and incite violence, hate speech and further acts of terrorism. Allowing them to continue using Twitter undermines the values of safety, inclusivity, and respect for human rights that your platform upholds. Also, it risks tarnishing Twitter as a platform enabling terror groups. The overwhelming population of Afghanistan disfavours the Taliban and their ideology is alien to them as their leaders have been trained in Pakistani madrassas, including the Haqqani leaders, and they are seen a foreign proxy force hijacking the country’s population.
By banning the Taliban and Haqqani Terror Network from Twitter, you would send a strong message that you stand against violence, terrorism, and the misuse of your platform. It would demonstrate your commitment to the well-being and safety of your users, both online and offline.
We understand the challenges that come with content moderation, but we firmly believe that it is essential to prioritize the safety and security of individuals over any potential difficulties. By taking a decisive step in banning these organizations, Twitter would contribute to the global efforts in countering extremism, protecting human rights, and fostering a more inclusive and peaceful digital space.
We urge you to heed our petition and take immediate action to ban the Taliban and Haqqani Network for their misuse of the Twitter platform. Together, let us stand against terrorism, protect freedom of speech, and create a safer digital environment for all users.
Thank you for your attention and consideration. We look forward to your positive response and action on this critical matter.
Sincerely,
Journalists, Activists, Academics and Concerned Individuals:
Dr. Ahmad Sarmast - Musician, Founder of ANIM
Jason Criss Howk - Human Rights Activist
Roya Sadat - Film producer and Director
Aziz Dildar - Film producer and Director
Sahra Karimi - Film producer and DirectorAngela Ghayour - ActivistAsar Hakimi - ActivistAttia Mehraban- Journalist & ActivistAbdullah Khodadad - Former Diplomat, ActivistAmina Zia Massoud - Former Diplomat, ActivistBahar Mehr - ActivistCrystal Bayat - ActivistDena Khodadad - ActivistDr, Mirways Bahawi - ActivistDr. Homeira Qaderi - AcademicDr. Mohaiuddin Mahdi - Former MPDr. Mujib Rahimi - AcademicDr. Weeda Mehran - AcademicDr. Zalmai Nishat- Academic
Dr. Mirwais Balkhi - Former Minister of Education, AcademicEjaz Ahmad Malikzad - Activist
Farshid Hakimyar - ActivistFahim Ebrat - ActivistFahim Kohdamani - Journalist and activistFariha Easar - ActivistGulchehra Yaftali - ActivistHaanya Malik - ActivistHabib Khan - Journalist and Founder of Afghan Peace Watch (APW)Haroon Motaref - Guzar Movement Head, ActivistHashmat Radfar -Freedom FighterKhalid Qaderi - ActivistKhalida Saleh - ActivistM. Edris Lutfi - ActivistMassoud Hossaini - Pulitzer & WPP winner, PhotoJournalist
Mesbah Aini- Former DiplomatMina Sharif - ActivistNasir Kaihan - ActivistNatiq Malikzada - ActivistNigara Mirdad - Former Diplomat, ActivistNilofar Ayoubi - Journalist and activistNilofar Moradi - ActivistNoorullah Hakimi - ActivistObaid Mahdi - ActivistParwana Ibrahimkhail Nijrabi - ActivistRamin Anwari - Journalist and Activist
Sameer Bedrood - Former Diplomat, Activist
Shabnam Shahpar - ActivistShafi Karimi - Activist
Seemeen Mahdi - ActivistShoaib Rahim - AcademicSodaba Azizi- ActivistSulaiman Ghalib - ActivistTooba Lutfi - ActivistYalda Sarwar - JournalistZabih Mahdi - PhD researcher, ActivistZaki Nadry - ActivistZala Zazai - ActivistZarlasht Haidary - ActivistZarqa Yaftali - Activist
List of Taliban and Haqqani Network Leaders on Twitter:
Zabihullah Mujahid – Taliban’s main spokesman: @Zabehulah_M33
Anas Haqqani – A senior member of the Haqqani Network: @AnasHaqqani313
Mohmmad Naeem – Spokesman of the Taliban’s political office in Qatar: @IeaOffice
Ahmadullah Wasiq – Taliban’s director of the state-run TV: @WasiqAhmadullah
Suhail Shaheen – Head of Taliban’s political office in Qatar: @suhailshaheen1
Qari Abdul Satar Saeed – A senior member of the Taliban: @qarisa3eed
Bilal Karimi – Deputy spokesman of the Taliban: @BilalKarimi21
Inamullah Samangani — Senior spokesman of the Taliban: @HabibiSamangani
Abdul Qahar Balkhi – Taliban’s foreign ministry spokesman: @QaharBalkhi
Mutmaeen – A senior member of the Taliban and head of their olympic committee: @Metmaeen
Qari Yousaf Ahmadi — A senior Taliban spokesman: @QyAhmadi21
Tariq Ghazniwal - A member of the Taliban’s media office: @TGhazniwal
Qari Saeed Khosty – A senior member of the Haqqani Network: @SaeedKhosty
Abdullah Azzam – Aide for the Taliban’s deputy Prime Minister: @Abdullah_azzam7
Sangar Paykhar — A member of the Taliban: @paykhar
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Links:
SIRAJUDDIN HAQQANI on FBI wanted list:
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/terrorinfo/sirajuddin-haqqani
Taliban’s Former Interior Minister’s Spokesperson Issues Death Threats To Group’s Critics:
https://www.afintl.com/en/202305028343
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Report:
Afghanistan: Taliban’s cruel attacks in Panjshir province amount to war crime of collective punishment
U.N. Security Council Unanimously Condemns Taliban’s Treatment of Women - NYT Report:
U.N. Security Council Unanimously Condemns Taliban’s Treatment of Women