Taliban arrests women on pretext of violating hijab rules

In recent days, Herat province has witnessed a new wave of arrests in which dozens of women were detained by the so-called “Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” affiliated with the Taliban, on grounds of not complying with the movement’s imposed hijab rules.

According to sources cited by the women’s news agency NUJINHA, dozens of women were detained and taken to unknown locations for not wearing the “chador” or burqa, or for showing strands of hair while in public places.

This campaign comes as part of the policies adopted by the Taliban since taking power in 2021, which have led to severe restrictions on women’s presence in public life and a reduction of their rights in education, work, movement, and social participation.

Sources reported that Taliban members carried out field inspections in various parts of Herat. In one such operation, two women working in cosmetics sales were arrested during a raid and taken away without any judicial warrant or explanation for their detention.

The movement also arrested two young women in the Jebrail area, amid attempts by shop owners and citizens to prevent their detention. According to the sources, Taliban members ignored the objections and also arrested some of the protesters.

These developments came just one day after at least 12 women and young women were detained in different parts of Herat in a similar campaign carried out by the ministry.

Authorities affiliated with the Taliban in Herat had announced on June 5 the deployment of “morality police” units in the city starting the following day, including eight female and eight male officers, to monitor compliance with what the group calls “Islamic hijab.”

Under the new measures, women may be arrested if they appear in public without a chador or burqa, or for using cosmetics or showing part of their hair.

The Taliban authorities also instructed local council heads, neighborhood representatives, and mosque imams to communicate the new dress code instructions for women to the public through mosques and religious sermons.

Human rights activists view these measures as an extension of a policy of “gradual exclusion of women from public life,” which includes restrictions on education, work, travel, and participation in social and cultural activities.

Simultaneously with the arrest campaign, protests broke out in the Jebrail area of Herat in rejection of the arbitrary arrest of young women, before Taliban forces intervened to disperse the demonstrators.

According to sources, Taliban forces opened fire during the dispersal operation, while circulated videos on social media showed a heavy presence of Taliban fighters and heightened tension in the area.

According to local sources, the gunfire resulted in three injuries, including a child. 

A-H 

ANHA