Peter and Barbie Reynolds, a British couple in their late 70s, were arrested by the Taliban on February 1, 2025, after returning to their home in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province.
The couple, who have spent nearly two decades running training schools for mothers and children, were detained without an official explanation.
Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, from Northamptonshire, believes that the couple’s only intent was to help the country they loved, despite facing difficult restrictions under Taliban rule.
A Long History of Support for Afghan People
The Reynolds have been in Afghanistan since 2005, setting up educational and training programmes under their Rebuild organisation, which was reportedly approved by local authorities.
Their work focused on providing parenting skills and education to mothers and children, and their daughter insists this has always been done with good intentions.
Despite the controversial nature of their work, particularly under the strict rules of the Taliban, the couple’s mission has never wavered.
Health Concerns for Peter Reynolds
Sources close to the couple have expressed grave concerns over Peter Reynolds’ health.
It is reported that Peter, 79, has been denied access to vital heart medication, worsening his condition.
One of the employees of the Rebuild organisation, who remains anonymous for safety reasons, has raised alarms, saying that Peter could lose his life without the necessary treatment.
The employee further stated that the Taliban found no wrongdoing by the Reynolds or their organisation, yet the couple remains imprisoned in Kabul.
Reactions from the Couple’s Family
The couple’s family, particularly their daughter Sarah and her three siblings, have called for their immediate release.
They have written an open letter to the Taliban, expressing their confusion and sadness over their parents’ arrest.
They state that their parents have always been committed to Afghanistan, and they continue to believe their parents deserve fair treatment, especially after their decades-long support for the people of Afghanistan.
The letter to the Taliban also emphasized that the family didn’t wish for the UK government to intervene, as they believe it could make the situation worse.
The Taliban’s Growing Restrictions on Women
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the regime has progressively imposed harsh restrictions on women, including bans on education for girls over the age of 12, employment restrictions, and a complete erasure of women from public spaces.
In response to the growing global outcry, including from the United Nations, the Taliban continues to defend their policies of gender segregation, with some of their latest moves including preventing women from hearing each other’s voices.
This intensifying crackdown on women’s rights is a major factor in the Reynolds’ work and the tensions surrounding their arrest.
Call for Immediate Release
Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed that the couple’s case is being reviewed, and efforts will be made to release them as soon as possible.
However, the timeline remains unclear, and Peter Reynolds’ declining health has made the situation more urgent.
Despite their difficult position, those close to the Reynolds remain hopeful that their decades of service to the people of Afghanistan will be recognized, and that the couple will soon be reunited with their family.