A British couple’s son, whose parents have been held by the Taliban for five months, expressed his deep concerns to the media, stating that he fears for their lives in prison.
On February 1, Peter Reynolds, 80, and Barbie, 76, were taken into custody as they made their way back to their residence in central Bamiyan province, Afghanistan. The reasons behind their detention remain unclear.
Jonathan Reynolds, their son, reported that his parents’ health was declining swiftly, with his father experiencing severe convulsions and his mother feeling “numb” due to anaemia and malnutrition.
The foreign minister of the Taliban stated that they are currently receiving medical care, adding that “efforts are under way to secure their release, but the process is not complete.”
Amir Khan Muttaqi addressed reporters in Kabul on Wednesday, asserting that “all their human rights are being respected,” while also noting that the pair maintained “occasional contact” with family.
The United Nations issued a stark warning on Monday, stating that the couple could face death “in such degrading conditions” without immediate medical attention, describing their detention as “inhumane”.
Mr. Reynolds described the past five months as “harrowing and surreal” as he awaited the release of his parents, who had spent 18 years in Afghanistan, where they held citizenship and managed education initiatives.
One of these initiatives focused on training women and children and reportedly received approval from local authorities, even as the Taliban continues to impose a ban on education for girls over the age of 12 and restricts women from participating in the workforce.
Mr. Reynolds reported that his parents endured severe conditions, including time spent in a maximum-security prison, even though a judge had declared them “deemed innocent” and they faced no charges.
“My father was confined alongside murderers and criminals,” he stated to the media, noting that they were once kept in a basement for six weeks without exposure to sunlight and were not permitted to leave.
According to Mr. Reynolds, the couple disclosed the severity of their health issues during their last communication with their children on June 15.
“My dad’s health is declining rapidly,” he remarked about the 80-year-old, who has experienced a series of minor heart attacks.
“He may be experiencing symptoms akin to early Parkinson’s, including tremors and shakes affecting the right side of his body, particularly in his arms and face,” he stated during an interview with media outlet Breakfast.
He stated that his father endured “half an hour convulsing on the prison floor” before his wife summoned a prison guard to transfer him onto a “mattress pad on the floor” that functioned as a bed.
Mrs. Reynolds exhibits blue hands and feet, a condition attributed to anaemia and malnutrition, stemming from a lack of adequate healthcare, he stated.
Mr. Reynolds stated that he was unaware of his parents’ precise whereabouts and expressed uncertainty regarding whether a demand for their immediate release had been made.
He expressed deep gratitude for the recent visit by British officials to the pair, noting that they shared a photo with the family as “proof of life.” It continued to be a source of “frustration,” as this effort fell short of achieving their release.
It appears that each week brings a new message urging us to ‘wait just two or three more days… to hold on a little longer.’
“Each week, reports continue to emerge indicating that – and they remain incarcerated.”
He expressed gratitude to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for their effective communication with the family.
The couple has celebrated their birthdays while incarcerated, and just last week, they reached a significant milestone: their 55th wedding anniversary, having tied the knot in Kabul in 1970.
Mr. Reynolds stated, “I appreciate that they were together, but they are definitely not free.”
On Monday, the UN issued a warning regarding the rapid decline in health of the pair, raising questions about the rationale behind their detention.
The UN’s human rights body issued a statement highlighting the dangers faced by individuals lacking adequate medical care, warning that they could suffer irreparable harm or even death. The organisation has urged for their immediate transfer to a civilian hospital.
There appears to be no justification for the detention of this elderly couple, prompting a call for an immediate reassessment of the reasons behind their confinement.
“Keeping individuals confined in such degrading conditions is inhumane, particularly concerning given their fragile health.”
The organisation reported that it had brought the couple’s situation to the attention of both the Taliban and the UK authorities.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office stated, “We are providing assistance to the family of two British nationals currently detained in Afghanistan.”
The United Kingdom closed its embassy in Kabul and evacuated its diplomats following the Taliban’s resurgence to power in 2021.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has stated that assistance for British nationals in Afghanistan is currently “severely limited” and has issued a warning against all travel to the country.
