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Check FAQAbout Sohrab
Broadcast journalist and Photographer Sohrab Omar is a freelance journalist from Afghanistan. He has more than five years’ experience working as a journalist, reporter and photographer for various media outlets. He has worked as a correspondent for TRT (Turkish Radio & Television corporation) in Kabul for four years, covering breaking news and reporting on most dangerous incidents. In 2021, Sohrab was laid on by Independent Turkish, reporting on top stories such as Economic crisis, widespread poverty, and drug addiction across Afghanistan. Sohrab has worked with SRF (Switzerland) and Stern Magazine (Germany) as a producer. He is working as a freelance Producer/Cameraman for ZDF (German Tv) since 2022. Dispatching from the heart of the conflicts in Afghanistan, Sohrab exposed the difficult conditions of 3 million Afghan child workers, who forcibly employed in hazardous industries. Sohrab Omar is a member of the International journalists Association. The International Journalists Association is founded by journalists that advocate freedom of the press. The association, headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany , has a total of 206 members who are journalists from 21 different countries. He is fluent in English, Turkish, Persian, Uzbek & Pashto.
War Reporter
Breaking News
Fact Checking
Portfolio
Documentary about Taliban`s one year rule in Afghanistan. This documentary was published by ZDF (German Tv) and i have contributed as a PRODUCER in this documentary.
My works with ZDF (German Tv)
Humanitarian disaster in Afghanistan: 23 million people face the threat of hunger
Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the country faces a growing hunger crisis, with unemployment, poverty, and malnutrition among children increasing. The United Nations warns that without international intervention, many could die from hunger in 2022. The economic and political boycott by the US and Western countries has exacerbated the crisis, which is expected to last until the end of 2022. The UN reports that 97% of the population will fall below the poverty line by mid-2022, and $8 billion is needed to prevent a humanitarian and economic collapse. UNICEF indicates that 3.2 million children under five are at risk of malnutrition, with at least 1 million facing death without urgent food and health aid. Child labor is rising, with children like 12-year-old Ahmet selling plastic bags in the market to support his family. Taliban Foreign Minister Amirhan Muttaki has requested the return of Afghanistan's $9 billion in frozen foreign reserves.
Education crisis in Afghanistan: 8,000 schools lack buildings; 3.7 million Afghan children cannot attend school
Afghanistan faces an education crisis with 8,000 schools lacking buildings and 3.7 million children unable to attend school, 60% of whom are girls. Despite international aid, the education system is severely damaged after 30 years of civil war. The Taliban's takeover has particularly affected women and girls, with middle and high school girls still waiting for schools to open. The European Commission of Human Rights has expressed concern over the violation of girls' educational rights. Activists fear the loss of progress made in the past two decades, while educators stress the importance of allowing girls to resume their studies for the future of the country.
Afghanistan: The World's Leading Producer of Drugs
Afghanistan remains the top producer of drugs globally, even after the Taliban's takeover, with 80% of the world's drugs originating from Afghan opium. The country's opium production contributes up to 11% to its economy. In 2021, Afghanistan harvested 6,800 tons of opium, generating revenue between $1.8 and $2.7 billion. Despite the US spending $8 billion over 15 years to combat drug production in Afghanistan, the efforts have not significantly curtailed opium production. The UNODC reports that about one million Afghans aged 15-64 are drug addicts, which is twice the global average. Only 10% of drug addicts receive treatment, with the Ibn Sina Hospital in Kabul treating 1,200 addicts. European heroin is 95% sourced from Afghan opium, while only 1% of heroin in the US comes from Afghanistan, with the majority from Mexico. Between 2017 and 2020, 90% of Afghan-grown opium was transported by road to Asian and European countries.
Unemployment Peaks in Afghanistan: 'We Survived 40 Years of War, Maybe We'll Die of Hunger'
Following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan has led to a political and unemployment crisis. Business owners are leaving the country, and thousands are jobless. In Herat province, over 100 factories have closed due to border closures, lack of raw materials, and rising dollar costs. Businessman Nesir Ahmet in Kabul reports many factories on the brink of bankruptcy. Hacı Abdul warns that the cessation of foreign aid and non-recognition of Taliban rule will exacerbate the unemployment crisis. Meanwhile, Beşir, a shoe seller, faces reduced sales and rising costs, fearing starvation after surviving decades of war. Many Afghans are fleeing to Iran and Pakistan due to unemployment. The instability and conflicts since the US ended Taliban rule in 2001 have led to the economic and social decline of the Afghan people.
The Changing Face of Afghanistan Under Taliban Rule
Since the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, significant changes have occurred in Kabul, with democratic slogans and images of Afghan figures being replaced by Taliban flags and religious slogans. Women's rights and freedoms have been severely restricted, unemployment has increased, and girls are unable to attend school. The Taliban has erased images of women, citing Sharia law, affecting hundreds of female beauticians and makeup artists. Public enthusiasm in wedding halls and entertainment centers has vanished following the Taliban's ban on music and singing. Business owners like Raşid Ahmet express the economic downturn and job losses due to the Taliban's influence.
Child labor in Afghanistan: 2 million school-age children work under harsh conditions
In Afghanistan, 2 million school-age children are working under severe conditions to help their families, engaging in street vending, blacksmithing, repairing, and painting. Child experts warn that such labor hinders their mental and physical development and prevents them from growing up in a safe environment. Children's work is driven by unemployment, poverty, war, and drought. Despite the Afghan labor law prohibiting work for children under 14, extreme poverty forces many into labor, with 25% of Afghan children working to survive. The country's dire economic situation continues to lead the list of the world's poorest countries, with 60% of girls deprived of education and 4.2 million children, including 2.2 million girls, not attending school.
Afghanistan's unemployed civil servants sell household goods
Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the Afghan population faces unemployment and poverty, leading them to sell household items in second-hand markets. Many former government employees, including soldiers, police, and civil servants, are selling their belongings, often to support their families or to leave the country. The United Nations has warned that over 97% of Afghanistan's population could fall below the poverty line by mid-2022. Recently, the Taliban-appointed mayor of Kabul terminated the employment of over 1,000 female municipal workers.
Being a Journalist in Afghanistan
Journalists in Afghanistan, especially women, face increasing difficulties since the Taliban's takeover. Out of 700 female journalists, only 100 remain employed. Despite Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid's assurances, reports indicate enforced job cuts for female journalists across various provinces. The Committee to Protect Afghan Women Journalists (CPAWJ) revealed that most women media workers had to quit their jobs. Before the regime change, Kabul had 1,080 female press members, including 700 journalists. Journalist and women's rights advocate Samira Hayırhah emphasized the importance of preserving press freedom. The Free Journalists Association President Hüccetullah Müceddidi reported that 153 out of 227 media organizations closed, primarily due to economic crisis. Afghanistan remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists, with over 100 journalists killed in the last two decades. Journalist Cavid Kargar, who fled to Spain fearing Taliban retribution, highlighted the complete eradication of press freedom and the violence against journalists since the Taliban's August 15 takeover.
Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, the country has been facing a growing hunger and poverty crisis, with 14 million of the 38 million population at risk of severe hunger according to the World Food Programme. The suspension of the country's $9 billion in foreign exchange reserves by various countries has exacerbated the unemployment crisis, which is expected to rise to 13% by the end of the year. The ongoing civil war has forced 550,000 people to flee their homes, with many families from the Panjshir region seeking refuge in the capital's refugee camps. Abdurrahman, a refugee from Panjshir, reports a lack of aid and dire living conditions. The World Health Organization data indicates that two million children in Afghanistan face the threat of malnutrition, with over half of the population living below the hunger threshold.
Will the Taliban end music and art in Afghanistan?
Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, Kabul has fallen silent with music venues and instrument shops closing down. Musicians like Ruhullah Yusufi fear for their future, and female singer Sedika Madadgar believes the future of music in Afghanistan is bleak. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has announced a ban on singing and playing music. Contrary to rumors, the Afghanistan Music Institute's Molla Ahmadi states that musical instruments have not been destroyed and are awaiting decisions from religious leaders. Exiled Afghan singer and UN peace ambassador Farhad Darya challenges the Taliban's religious justification for the ban, arguing that the Quran does not prohibit music and accuses the Taliban of using Islam for political gain. He asserts that the Afghan people are more conscious and will not regress, despite the current suppression of music and art.
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