January 27, 2025 - Malta, Valletta

Zahra Joya, an acclaimed Afghan journalist, and TIME Magazine Woman of the Year, was denied entry to Malta despite being invited to speak at a conference on Afghan women’s rights. Joya, the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Rukhshana Media, was deported after arriving with a valid Schengen visa, citing her passport as “unrecognised” by Maltese authorities. She was reportedly “rushed” onto a flight back to London by police, leaving her “shocked” and “confounded.”

The incident raises serious concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists, particularly those advocating for marginalized communities. Joya, a survivor of Taliban oppression who disguised herself as a boy to attend school, has been a vocal advocate for Afghan women’s rights. Her deportation undermines Malta’s commitment to supporting global press freedom and women’s rights.

While Malta’s Foreign Affairs Ministry claimed Joya was not on the list of participants requiring consular support, it failed to explain why her visa was deemed invalid. This incident highlights the challenges faced by women journalists, especially those from conflict zones, in accessing international platforms to amplify critical voices.

Women Press Freedom condemns this unjust treatment and calls on Malta to uphold its obligations to protect press freedom and ensure such incidents are not repeated.