UN Experts Urge Taliban To Release Older British Couple Held In Underground Cells, As Their Health Deteriorates

GENEVA (21 July 2025) - A group of human rights experts* today expressed alarm at the deteriorating health of Peter and Barbie Reynolds, two older British nationals arbitrarily detained in Afghanistan without charges since February, calling for their release and immediate access to medical treatment.

“Peter and Barbie Reynolds have been held for over five months, including in a maximum-security facility for several months and later in underground cells, without sunlight, before being moved to above-ground cells last week at the General Directorate of Intelligence in Kabul. Their physical and mental health is deteriorating rapidly. Without access to adequate medical care, they are at risk of irreparable harm or even death,” the experts said.

“Our first demand is their immediate transfer to a civilian hospital for medical treatment,” they said.

Peter Reynolds needs heart medication after suffering a transient ischemic attack in 2023. During his detention, he has had two eye infections and has intermittent tremors in his head and down his left arm, for which there are grave concerns given his underlying medical condition. He recently collapsed. Barbie Reynolds suffers from anaemia and remains weak and frail, potentially caused by months of poor quality and quantity of food. She also reported that her feet have become numb.

The two individuals, who are married, aged 80 and 75 respectively, have lived continuously in Afghanistan for the past 18 years, where they founded a research and training business that provided training services to various companies and organisations throughout the country. They have been deprived of liberty in very difficult conditions without proper legal proceedings.

“We see no reason why this older couple should be detained at all, and have requested an immediate review of the grounds of their detention,” the experts said. “It is inhumane to keep them locked up in such degrading conditions and more worrying when their health is so fragile.”

The experts noted that Mr and Mrs Reynolds were reportedly detained without formal charges, have had no access to effective legal assistance nor medical care, and could only have very limited contact with their family by telephone.

“We remind the Taliban that all persons deprived of liberty must be treated with humanity and dignity, and that conditions and locations of detention must take into account their age and health circumstances,” they said. “The psychological toll on their health from not knowing why they are being held or when they are to be released is cruel treatment.”

The UN Experts have raised this case with the Taliban, the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, and the United Kingdom. They will continue to monitor the situation.

*The experts:

• Alice Jill Edwards, the Special Rapporteur on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
• Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan;
• Morris Tidball-Binz, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions;
• Claudia Mahler, the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons;
• Tlaleng Mofokeng, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.

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