Peter and Barbie Reynolds are still held by the Taliban

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

How disappointing that no-one on this forum cares.

I care, I have been busy cooking a roast.

It’s a conundrum, this couple knew they were working in a hostile country, the U.K. advises against travel to Afghanistan.

I hope our government is negotiating behind the scenes.

I care.

But give people a chance! We are doing things.

I haven’t heard about them. Is it on the MSM?

I signed a petition (although l have little faith in petitions) urging the government to act (maybe they are), there were only about 2000 signatures so awareness is low even though it's been in MSM fairly often.

I feel sorry for their families but this couple were foolish in their venture, making a blog I think, about their experiences and putting other people in danger.

Whilst I am not defending the Taliban here people in Afghanistan (especially women) face very real and serious danger every day. Why did this couple think they would be different?

It reminds me a little of the Salt Path couple, they really didn't have a clue...

keepingquiet

I feel sorry for their families but this couple were foolish in their venture, making a blog I think, about their experiences and putting other people in danger.

Whilst I am not defending the Taliban here people in Afghanistan (especially women) face very real and serious danger every day. Why did this couple think they would be different?

It reminds me a little of the Salt Path couple, they really didn't have a clue...

You are mixing this couple up with the ones currently held in Iran, who thought it would be jolly to cycle through the country there and blog about it.
The elderly couple held by the taliban are really good people who have lived there for years and years, made it their home and did good works. It’s disgusting that they are imprisoned by Islamist extremists, the scourge of the modern world.🤬

Yes, Oreo, they are charity workers and teachers and have lived in Afghanistan for years, but suddenly the attitude of the Taliban and they were arrested.

They have lived there now for over 18 years, and became Afghan citizens as this is the country they call ‘home’. When the Taliban took over in 2021 they refused to leave, saying they ‘couldn’t leave the country and the people they love, in their darkest hour.

Soon after this happened, the Taliban invited them to speak to a large group of their leaders about the work they do there. They were working with 5 schools, training the teachers to help children ‘learn through active participation’ (& play) rather than the current system of ‘by rote’. The Taliban loved what they had to say (even gave Barbie the first woman’s ’Certificate of Appreciation'!)

Peter and Barbie have never hidden what they are doing, and meticulously adhere to the laws regarding education, as they frequently change.

freepeterandbarbie.com/

There is nothing, no reason whatsoever to hold them, it’s spite .

keepingquiet

I feel sorry for their families but this couple were foolish in their venture, making a blog I think, about their experiences and putting other people in danger.

Whilst I am not defending the Taliban here people in Afghanistan (especially women) face very real and serious danger every day. Why did this couple think they would be different?

It reminds me a little of the Salt Path couple, they really didn't have a clue...

That is erroneous information.

Perhaps you should ask for your post to be deleted as it is not helpful at all in trying to secure their release.

I do apologise for jumping to conclusions here- I did think it must be the other couple in Iran as I have never heard this story.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention and I do hope that raising awareness might lead to a resolution for them.

I am quite happy for my post to be removed.

What a shame for this lovely couple. I hope they are soon released.

I hope so too, but an old couple doesn’t seem as newsworthy as an attractive younger woman held prisoner somewhere in the world so the media, after reporting this once have failed to show any more interest 🤬

The UK shut its embassy in Kabul and withdrew its diplomats from the country after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

The place is too dangerous. For women in particular. In my opinion.
I saw a travel programme recently. I wouldnt go anywhere near the place.

Oreo

I hope so too, but an old couple doesn’t seem as newsworthy as an attractive younger woman held prisoner somewhere in the world so the media, after reporting this once have failed to show any more interest 🤬

The BBC and other MSM have reported monthly since February, having been no known contact there's very little to report. It's, as usual, more prevalent on SM. The advice in these kind of cases is often to keep a low profile to stop the people detained appearing more "valuable". I'm not sure what denomination they were affiliated to, CofE? There's definitely church support publicly, so maybe more so behind the scenes.

Mt61

What a shame for this lovely couple. I hope they are soon released.

Where will I find the petition?

fancythat

^The UK shut its embassy in Kabul and withdrew its diplomats from the country after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.^

The place is too dangerous. For women in particular. In my opinion.
I saw a travel programme recently. I wouldnt go anywhere near the place.

They had lived and worked there for 18 years, perhaps they should have left then but they perhaps felt they were needed and that was their home.
I sometimes wonder if there is no news because the Foreign Office is working hard behind the scenes to secure their release, but I have my doubts. 😥

keepingquiet

I do apologise for jumping to conclusions here- I did think it must be the other couple in Iran as I have never heard this story.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention and I do hope that raising awareness might lead to a resolution for them.

I am quite happy for my post to be removed.

Yes, that couple was arrested earlier this year, but they had been advised not to travel to Iran.

Don't worry, I think it's plain now that this is a different couple.

Mt61 & anyone else interested, this is the link to the petition

Petition · Urge the British Government to Intervene for the Release of Peter and Barbie Reynolds in Afghanistan - United Kingdom · Change.org share.google/vPleGRtsfymhxY2nP

Sadly, I agree with Oreo - the regime is holding this couple because it can, not because they have done anything wrong.
Nothing that the Taliban do surprises me.

Thank you, OldFrill.

I had signed something else but this is probably better.

OldFrill

Oreo

I hope so too, but an old couple doesn’t seem as newsworthy as an attractive younger woman held prisoner somewhere in the world so the media, after reporting this once have failed to show any more interest 🤬

The BBC and other MSM have reported monthly since February, having been no known contact there's very little to report. It's, as usual, more prevalent on SM. The advice in these kind of cases is often to keep a low profile to stop the people detained appearing more "valuable". I'm not sure what denomination they were affiliated to, CofE? There's definitely church support publicly, so maybe more so behind the scenes.

Let’s hope so.I only saw a report of this matter once on BBC News online.
I just recall the massive media coverage over the Iranian woman who went back to visit her parents and show the baby to them and was imprisoned by the foul Iranian authorities.The publicity never let up.

Thanks for posting this Allira. I often think not enough attention is paid to the horrors in Afghanistan.