KARIMA, Survivor Statement

I am, or was, a medical student in Parwan province Midwifery department.

On July 20, 2022 I left home go to university. On my way at 07:00AM, four Taliban gunmen in a military car stopped beside me. One got out from the car and walked in front of me and asked me many questions in Pashto, I told him, I don’t know Pashto I am Tajik. 

Another one came from the car and spoke a little Dari. He asked, 'you go work?'
I told them in Persian, 'No I don't go to work, I am university student.'

Then another taliban man walked in front of me and asked more question but I didn't know what he said and I told him I don't know Pashto, I am Tajik. 
Then he said "Ohhhhh Nice".

They grabbed me and put me in the car and drove off. I shouted a lot and they put a cloth in my mouth and put a bag over my head. 

We arrived at one place, they made me wait there and after several hours, in the middle of the night, they moved me to another place.

They punched me while they drove. We arrived at another place and there was a family and children there too. When they uncovered my head, I saw babies and one woman. One of the Taliban men told the woman something but I didn't understand. 

For five days they didn't touch me and I spent my time with the woman. She made food for me. On the sixth day, one of the taliban men came in along with four other taliban men, and an Imam. They wanted the Imam to speak with me.  

The Imam asked me, "do you really want to marry this man?"
I told the Imam what happened and that no, I didn't want to marry him. The Imam was angry and started to argue with the taliban. I do not know what he said, it was in pashto. The imam was so angry, his face was so mad. 

They all left the home to go outside and I then heard gunfire. I think they shot the Imam but I don't know. I didn't hear him speak again. 

On the seventh day, the taliban came back and started raped me. They locked the door - the other woman was beating on the door and yelling but other taliban men came to stop her. 

For 5 weeks they raped me every night. 
I was so scared when I saw blood all over my body. 
I didn't know what to do. 
During the day they handcuffed my hands and the other woman gave me food. She cried with me a lot and the babies all were crying too. 

I was in pain. I had blood from my anus and vagina. 

I begged them to leave me alone. 
I am human
I am human
I am human

On 7 September this woman found the handcuff key and untied my feet. She gave me some clothes and money and she took my hand and helped me get up and get out from the home. 

Eventually I got to a road and when a car came, I jumped in front. It was so hard to move and walk. I was hoping the driver knew Persian, I told him I want go to Parwan. 

The driver told me it's expensive since it is so far. I told him "I am injured, the Taliban raped me."

The driver said, Ok, don't worry. When we arrive at the Taliban Checkpoint I will tell them you are my daughter. What is your name?"

I said Karima. 
The Driver told me his name - WITHHELD. 
He said to me, "If Taliban asks what is your father's name tell them my name."

We got to Kabul and he took me to the hospital. I gave him my father's number and he called my father. After 4 hours, my family arrived at the hospital. 

The Government Taliban hospital didn't provide any care. One of Ms Leslie's team members from the hospital took my father's number. Later the doctor called my father, saying we can help your daughter.

Now we are in Kabul in a safe home and I am very happy.

I was pregnant from the taliban but your team stopped this and I am relieved.