The couple, who have dedicated 18 years to education projects in Afghanistan, were arrested on February 1 while returning to their residence in central Bamiyan province. Jonathan expressed his fears about their deteriorating well-being during a conversation with BBC, noting his father's serious convulsions, which he claims resemble early Parkinson's symptoms, along with his mother's crippling anemia and malnutrition.
The United Nations has joined Jonathan in voicing concerns over the couple’s "harrowing" conditions, stating that their detention is "inhumane" and that they risk "irreparable harm or even death" if they remain without adequate medical care. The UN urged for their transfer to a civilian hospital and questioned the reasons for their detention, deeming it ludicrous given the couple’s previously innocent standing in the eyes of a judge.
Despite a Taliban official’s previous statement promising their release "as soon as possible," Jonathan described the past months as a nightmarish waiting game, continually being told to expect resolution "within a few days." He lamented that the couple has not faced formal charges, and shared his heartache over their treatment, which he characterized as severe, including being shackled alongside more dangerous inmates in maximum-security conditions.
Both Peter and Barbie celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in captivity, a stark contrast to their earlier life devoted to training projects for mothers and children in the region. While their work had been previously sanctioned by local authorities, the Taliban's return to power has created an oppressive environment that severely limits educational opportunities, particularly for girls.
As Jonathan continued to seek answers on his parents' location and the process for their eventual release, he expressed gratitude for the support from the UK's Foreign Office, which has maintained contact with the family. However, the situation remains grave as the couple’s birthdays in prison pass without hope of freedom. Following the UK’s embassy closure in 2021, support for British nationals in Afghanistan has diminished, resulting in a complex and uncertain path ahead for the Reynolds.
In light of the ongoing crisis, the Taliban's commitment to the couple’s release and their well-being remains under scrutiny, leaving family and observers concerned about their survival amidst escalating health crises.
The United Nations has joined Jonathan in voicing concerns over the couple’s "harrowing" conditions, stating that their detention is "inhumane" and that they risk "irreparable harm or even death" if they remain without adequate medical care. The UN urged for their transfer to a civilian hospital and questioned the reasons for their detention, deeming it ludicrous given the couple’s previously innocent standing in the eyes of a judge.
Despite a Taliban official’s previous statement promising their release "as soon as possible," Jonathan described the past months as a nightmarish waiting game, continually being told to expect resolution "within a few days." He lamented that the couple has not faced formal charges, and shared his heartache over their treatment, which he characterized as severe, including being shackled alongside more dangerous inmates in maximum-security conditions.
Both Peter and Barbie celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in captivity, a stark contrast to their earlier life devoted to training projects for mothers and children in the region. While their work had been previously sanctioned by local authorities, the Taliban's return to power has created an oppressive environment that severely limits educational opportunities, particularly for girls.
As Jonathan continued to seek answers on his parents' location and the process for their eventual release, he expressed gratitude for the support from the UK's Foreign Office, which has maintained contact with the family. However, the situation remains grave as the couple’s birthdays in prison pass without hope of freedom. Following the UK’s embassy closure in 2021, support for British nationals in Afghanistan has diminished, resulting in a complex and uncertain path ahead for the Reynolds.
In light of the ongoing crisis, the Taliban's commitment to the couple’s release and their well-being remains under scrutiny, leaving family and observers concerned about their survival amidst escalating health crises.
