'Illegal and unacceptable': UN Special Rapporteur condemns detention of Afghan women over dress code
Kabul, June 9
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has expressed concern over the detention of Afghan women for violating the Taliban's dress code, terming the action "illegal and unacceptable" and calling for their immediate release.
Bennett's statement comes after Taliban morality police detained at least 21 women and girls in Herat for alleged non-compliance with the dress code, Amu TV reported, citing local sources.
In a post on X, Bennett stated, "I am deeply alarmed that for a 3rd consecutive day, scores of women in Herat continue to be arbitrarily arrested and detained for violating the Taliban's dress code. It is illegal and unacceptable. The arrests must stop, and the women must be released immediately."
The sources revealed that Afghan women and girls were detained in several parts of Herat, including the southern road, Almas Market and the Qasr area, as per the report. The women who have been detained reportedly include a nurse who worked at Herat Regional Hospital.
The arrest of Afghan women and girls comes after the Taliban's Directorate for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat issued a directive, which ordered male family members to ensure that women follow the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic dress requirements.
According to the directive, women seen in public without a prayer veil, uncovered faces, or wearing tight clothes or makeup could face detention and will be taken to a women's detention facility, Amu TV reported.
The latest incident comes amid reports of increased implementation of the Taliban's morality law in several parts of Afghanistan.
Human rights groups said the law has increased restrictions on women, with monitoring of their clothes, movement and participation in public life.
Since seizing power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has imposed restrictions on Afghan women and girls, including banning girls from attending secondary schools beyond the sixth class, prohibiting women from studying at universities, and imposing restrictions on employment and access to public spaces.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While I agree the UN must condemn this, I recall how some groups in India also try to police women's clothing. It's a global issue, not just Afghanistan. But yes, what the Taliban is doing is extreme—arresting nurses for work? That's just cruel. We need more international pressure on these regimes.
India should offer refuge to these women. We have a history of welcoming those persecuted, from Tibetans to Afghan Sikhs. Instead of just statements, let's provide scholarships, visas, and jobs to Afghan women. That's real solidarity, not just Twitter diplomacy. 🇮🇳✊
The UN has been weak on the Taliban for years. Arresting women for wearing makeup is medieval. The whole world should impose tougher sanctions until basic rights are restored. India, as a neighbor, should lead this effort.
It's 2024 and women can't even wear their own clothes without fear of arrest. That nurse who was detained for working—she's a hero just trying to save lives. This is a humanitarian crisis happening right next door. India must press for action at the UN Security Council. 🇮🇳
The Taliban are repeating every mistake of history. Even conservative Muslim scholars online denounce this. Arresting women for not covering properly under threat of detention is not Sharia—it's state terrorism. The world shouldn't normalize diplomatic relations with such regimes.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.