British couple in their seventies, Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, have been arrested by the Taliban in Afghanistan. The couple, who have lived in the country for nearly two decades running training projects, were detained on 1 February while returning to their home in Bamiyan. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, revealed that she has not heard from them for over two weeks, sparking growing concerns about their safety and well-being.
The reason for their arrest remains unclear, but their humanitarian efforts included training mothers and children, a program that was reportedly approved by local authorities despite the Taliban’s strict restrictions on women working and girls’ education beyond the age of 12. Their detention has raised serious concerns among human rights groups and international diplomats, who fear that their decades-long contributions to Afghanistan may have made them targets under the Taliban’s hardline policies.
Peter and Barbie Reynolds’ connection to Afghanistan runs deep. The couple met while studying at the University of Bath and later married in Kabul in 1970. After spending years working in various capacities across different countries, they decided to return to Afghanistan in 2009 to launch education and training programs. Their projects, which spanned five schools in Kabul and additional work in Bamiyan, aimed to empower communities through education, focusing on vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
Despite the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, which led to the mass exodus of foreigners, including many humanitarian workers, Peter and Barbie chose to stay, determined to continue their work. While many of their colleagues left, the couple believed that their programs were essential for local communities and were operating with the approval of local officials. However, Afghanistan’s shifting political landscape has made it increasingly dangerous for foreigners, especially those engaged in activities related to women’s rights and education.
Following their arrest, the couple was initially able to maintain communication with their four children via text messages, offering some reassurance that they were safe. However, their sudden disappearance from contact has raised alarms within their family and among international observers. Their daughter, Sarah Entwistle, has expressed growing distress over the lack of information and has urged the British government to take swift action to secure their release.
“We haven’t heard from our parents in more than two weeks, and we are extremely worried about their safety,” she told the BBC. “They have dedicated their lives to helping Afghan communities, and it is heartbreaking to think that they may now be in danger because of that.”
The case has drawn attention from international human rights organizations, many of whom have been warning about the increasingly hostile environment for foreign nationals and aid workers in Afghanistan. The Taliban government, which has imposed strict regulations on NGOs and foreign entities, has repeatedly cracked down on activities that contradict its ideological stance, particularly on issues concerning women’s rights and education.
While it remains unclear what charges, if any, have been brought against Peter and Barbie Reynolds, some analysts speculate that their education initiatives—especially those involving women and children—may have attracted unwanted scrutiny from the Taliban’s authorities. Under the current regime, many international organizations have been forced to suspend operations due to the Taliban’s rigid policies, which include banning girls from secondary education and restricting women from working in most sectors.
A British diplomatic source, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the UK government is actively working to gather information about the couple’s situation and is in communication with international partners to explore potential avenues for securing their release.
“We are aware of the detention of two British nationals in Afghanistan and are in close contact with relevant authorities to determine the best course of action,” the official stated. “The safety and well-being of British citizens abroad is a top priority, and we are doing everything possible to resolve this matter swiftly.”
The Taliban, however, has yet to issue an official statement regarding the arrest of the couple, leaving many unanswered questions. Afghan security officials, when pressed for details, have either declined to comment or provided conflicting accounts regarding the couple’s whereabouts and the reasons behind their detention.
Human rights organizations have condemned the arrest, calling on the Taliban government to ensure that the couple is treated fairly and is given access to legal representation. Some fear that their detention could be part of a broader pattern of the Taliban using foreign nationals as leverage in diplomatic negotiations with Western countries.
The arrest of the Reynolds couple is not an isolated case. Since the Taliban takeover, multiple foreign nationals, including aid workers and journalists, have been detained under unclear circumstances. Some have been released following diplomatic intervention, while others have remained in Taliban custody for months.
A former Afghan government official, now in exile, expressed concern that the Reynolds’ case highlights the growing risks faced by anyone involved in humanitarian work in Afghanistan.
“The Taliban have made it clear that they do not tolerate any form of education or empowerment programs for women and girls. Even if these projects were approved at the local level, the central government often intervenes to shut them down,” he said. “Foreign nationals working on such initiatives are particularly vulnerable, as they are seen as representatives of Western influence.”
For now, the fate of Peter and Barbie Reynolds remains uncertain, leaving their family and supporters anxiously awaiting further updates. Their four children have called for a strong international response, urging British authorities to engage directly with Taliban officials to ensure their safe return.
A close friend of the couple, who worked with them on education projects in Kabul, described them as “kind-hearted and deeply committed to Afghanistan.”
“Peter and Barbie never saw themselves as outsiders. They believed in the power of education to transform lives, and they worked tirelessly to support Afghan families,” the friend said. “It is devastating to think that their kindness and dedication have now put them in danger.”
As diplomatic efforts continue behind closed doors, the world watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to yet another case that underscores the increasing risks faced by foreigners in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. For their family, every passing day without contact only deepens their fears, as they await news of their beloved parents’ fate in an uncertain and volatile landscape.
