Enlarge image
Human rights activist Marzia Rustami: "Where is the international community now?"
Photo: private
SPIEGEL
: The Taliban have attacked Kunduz several times in the past few years, but they held out and continued to work to promote human rights and democracy.
Why did you have to flee now?
Rustami:
The Taliban keep death lists that they are now working through.
On it are people who do not want to cooperate with them, including government employees, security forces, judges or activists.
My name is on one of those lists.
SPIEGEL
: How seriously do you take this threat?
Rustami
: It's a
matter of
life and death.
On February 28, the Taliban came to our house in Kunduz in District 3. My brother-in-law and my husband were standing in front of it, and there was a scuffle.
He and my husband are also on the list.
I just wasn't there.
Enlarge image
Murder document on Facebook: Moments before his death, the Taliban photographed Rustami's brother-in-law.
Pictures of his murder on display on his account - as a deterrent.
My husband escaped, my brother-in-law, who worked for the anti-narcotics agency, couldn't, he was shot three miles outside of town.
The Taliban uploaded the images of his murder to his own Facebook account, which was still open at the time.
He was 40 years old.
They were looking for me too.
For those who kill us here, the red carpet will now be rolled out at the peace negotiations in Doha and Ankara.
Afghan activist Rustami
SPIEGEL
: What exactly are the Taliban accusing you of?
Rustami
: You accuse me of
making
common cause with the enemies of Afghanistan and cooperating with the foreigners.
We trained women to be involved in local politics and society.
We helped victims of domestic violence and acted as mediators between religious leaders and the community.
We gave a voice to those who have no voice.
The Taliban do not like it when women are encouraged to educate themselves and participate in decision-making processes.
Since the Germans left, space has been shrinking
SPIEGEL
: In 2013, the Germans gave up the Kunduz field camp after ten years of military presence.
What has happened since then?
German Bundeswehr soldiers in Kunduz: After the Germans withdrew, the Taliban attacked the city and set up checkpoints in the region.
Photo: FABRIZIO BENSCH / REUTERS
Rustami
: Our sphere of activity has become smaller every year.
We originally operated in four provinces, but at some point the Taliban set up checkpoints around the city.
Since the second Taliban attack on Kunduz in 2016, we have only been able to move around the city.
Kunduz
: How do the Taliban keep citizens in check today?
Rustami
: At the beginning of 2020 I received a call from a representative of the Taliban.
He offered that I could still take her side, that I should speak in her favor and also support her financially, otherwise death awaits me.
He gave my address and my job, he knew which car I use, when I leave the house and when I return.
A policewoman who lived nearby had already been murdered.
I understood that it was serious now.
The Taliban first warn, then kill
SPIEGEL
: Since when have there been death lists?
Rustami
: The first victim was a colleague, a moderate religious scholar.
It happened in 2014, when we both worked for Women and Youth for Peace and Development, a US-funded aid organization.
The Taliban called him and let him know that he and I were on their death list.
The next day he was killed with a car bomb.
I kept working until three weeks ago.
Enlarge image
Rustami as parliamentary candidate in Kunduz: The Taliban don't like it when women participate in decision-making processes.
Photo: private
SPIEGEL
: Where are you now?
Rustami
: After my brother-in-law was murdered, we packed two suitcases and fled to another city.
My husband, our four children and I first found shelter in a shelter that Afghan supporters put at the disposal of threatened human rights activists.
We saved our lives.
We can only stay here for a few weeks.
We almost never go out, we leave the lights on at night because the children are scared.
SPIEGEL
: What are you going to do?
Rustami:
There is no one here who can protect us in the long term.
I wonder where is the international community now?
Why aren't the diplomats putting pressure on the Taliban?
I am appalled that the red carpet is being rolled out to those who persecute us in the peace negotiations in Doha and Ankara, but we are supposed to die.
I really blame myself.
All of the organizations and representatives I have worked with are gone today and my family is in mortal danger because of my work.
I never wanted to leave here, I love Afghanistan and Kunduz and my work, but now I have to go.
I'm looking for a country that will take us in.
