UNMA urges Taliban to revoke policies restricting Afghan women's rights
Kabul, June 11
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has expressed grave concern over the arrest of at least 30 women and the reports of excessive use of force by Taliban authorities against residents protesting the arbitrary detentions in Afghanistan's Herat.
According to UNAMA, these arrests were carried out between June 6 and 7 for allegedly violating dress code instructions, while dozens more women reportedly received verbal warnings.
Following the protest over the arrest in the Jibreil area of Herat City on June 9, the UN mission said that at least one person, a boy, was killed by gunfire, while several others suffered injuries from being beaten with sticks. It is also verifying reports of a second fatality during the protests.
"A woman's detention in Afghanistan carries enormous stigma, which can put women at risk of further violence and isolation in their families and communities even after they are released," said the Secretary-General's Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Officer-in-Charge for UNAMA, Georgette Gagnon.
"The de facto authorities are obliged under international law to uphold the rights of all Afghans to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, liberty and security of person, and freedom from arbitrary detention," Gagnon added.
UNAMA reiterated that all law enforcement measures must comply with international legal standards, including the principles of necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination in the use of force. It stressed the need for people to have the right to express dissent peacefully without fear of violence, intimidation, or reprisals.
The UN mission further called on the Taliban authorities to revoke all policies and practices that restrict the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Afghan women and girls, including restrictions on freedom of movement, expression, education, employment, and participation in public life.
The arrest of Afghan women and girls came 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, with uncovered faces, or wearing tight clothes or makeup could face detention and will be taken to a women's detention facility.
The international community had condemned the detention of Afghan women and girls in Herat.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I can't even imagine what it feels like to be arrested just for wearing makeup or not covering your face properly. This is not about religion—it's about control and oppression. The UN's call is welcome but what will actually change? The international community needs to take concrete steps, not just statements.
Honestly, I'm tired of seeing the world condemn but do nothing. Where is the US now? They left Afghanistan in chaos, and now women are paying the price. India should take a lead—maybe offer scholarships for Afghan girls to study in India. At least some of them can have a future.
This is pure barbarism. Arresting women for how they dress? And then killing a boy during protests? Shame on the Taliban. But also shame on the world for normalizing this. We can't just say "it's their culture"—human rights are universal.
As a woman, this chills me to the bone. The Taliban saying men should enforce dress codes on women? That's a recipe for domestic abuse. And the stigma of detention? Women will be shamed even if released. We need to amplify Afghan women's voices, not just speak for them.
This is beyond disturbing. The international community needs to use every diplomatic tool—sanctions, aid conditions, anything—to pressure the Taliban. Keeping half the population in fear doesn't make a society stable. India has always valued women's education and empowerment; we should lead by example.
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