A British couple, Peter and Barbie Reynolds, have been arrested by Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, leaving their family desperate for answers and urging the UK government to intervene.
The elderly couple, both in their seventies, have dedicated nearly two decades to running school training programs in Afghanistan. Despite their long-standing commitment to the country, they were detained on February 1, allegedly over their work teaching parenting skills to mothers over 30, according to The Sunday Times.
Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, along with her three brothers, initially refrained from seeking UK government involvement, hoping the Taliban would clarify their reasons for the arrest. However, after more than three weeks of silence, they are now calling on British diplomats to act swiftly.
“Our parents have always respected the Taliban, and we wanted to give them the chance to explain,” Entwistle told TimesRadio. “But with no response, we can’t wait any longer. The British consulate must do everything possible to get answers and secure their release.”
The Taliban administration and the UK Foreign Office have remained tight-lipped about the situation. The Reynolds, who married in Kabul in 1970, chose to stay in Afghanistan even after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021 when the British embassy withdrew its staff.
Entwistle voiced particular concern over her father’s health, noting that he is nearly 80 and requires heart medication after suffering a mini-stroke. “They were just trying to help the country they love. The idea that they’re being detained for teaching mothers is outrageous,” she said.
The couple was reportedly taken into custody while returning home in central Bamiyan province. In an open letter to the Taliban, the Reynolds’ children pleaded for their parents’ release, emphasizing their lifelong dedication to Afghanistan.
Since regaining power, the Taliban have imposed strict Islamic laws, curbing women’s rights and barring them from education and employment. Their governance has been widely criticized, with the UN labeling their policies as “gender apartheid.”
With the fate of Peter and Barbie Reynolds uncertain, their family remains hopeful that international pressure will lead to their safe return.
