KABUL - The United Nations expresses its concern over the acts of intimidation against New York Times reporter Matthew Rosenberg.

“The attempts aimed at preventing a media representative from freely carrying out his duties demonstrate a disturbing disregard for freedom of expression,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš. “Open media is critical for healthy society and journalists must be able to work in a climate free from intimidation.”

Mr. Rosenberg was yesterday informed that he would not be permitted to leave Afghanistan as he was under investigation for unspecified reasons in relation to an article he authored the previous day. He was asked but declined to provide the names of Afghan officials who were anonymously quoted in the article. Today, the Attorney-General’s Office announced they were expelling him within 24 hours for allegedly failing to assist their investigation.

The UN mission urges the Afghan authorities to urgently review their actions in light of due process, domestic laws and the international obligations of Afghanistan to safeguard media freedoms in the country.