Overview

• Peter and Barbie Reynolds, aged 80 and 76, have been detained by the Taliban since February without charge and were recently moved from underground cells to an above-ground facility with minimal provisions.
• UN special rapporteur on torture Alice Edwards and other UN experts warned that their rapidly deteriorating condition puts them at risk of death and urged their transfer to a civilian hospital.
• A remote medical assessment suggests Peter may have suffered a stroke or silent heart attack while Barbie is experiencing anaemia-related numbness and frailty due to poor nutrition and lack of sunlight.
• Their four children, who have not spoken to them for weeks, launched a new public appeal after private efforts yielded no progress, pleading for their parents’ immediate release or medical evacuation.
• UK Foreign Office officials secured an exceptional welfare visit last week but say diplomatic efforts remain hampered by London’s lack of formal recognition of the Taliban government.