UN: Taliban detains 30 women for allegedly violating hijab rules

UN Women reported that authorities in the city of Herat, in western Afghanistan, detained at least 30 women for allegedly breaching the dress code imposed by the Taliban government, noting that some of them were later released.

The UN Women said in a statement issued on Thursday that the arrests came following a security campaign in the Injil district of Herat city and coincided with protests that erupted on Tuesday in response to those measures.

It added that the arrests have sparked fear and concern among women and girls across Afghanistan, confirming that several of the detainees were subsequently released.

It also reported that Taliban security forces allegedly opened fire during the protests, which included men, women, and children, and that some participants were beaten. According to the statement, the incidents resulted in the death of at least two people, including a boy, and more than 20 injuries.

Media outlets indicated that members of the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice had detained a number of women in the days preceding the protests, accusing them of not complying with hijab rules.

Meanwhile, local authorities denied the reports regarding the arrest of women.

Since returning to power in Kabul in 2021, the Taliban has imposed restrictions on women and girls in several areas, including education, work, and sports, drawing criticism from various organizations and countries. 

A-H 

ANHA