A violent Taliban crackdown on a protest against the arrests of women for alleged dress code violations in western Afghanistan has killed at least one person, according to the United Nations.
Eyewitnesses reported Taliban police opened fire during Tuesday’s demonstration by 100 to 150 people in Herat, protesting Saturday-Sunday arrests of women over hijab rules.
UNAMA confirmed a boy was killed by gunfire, with several others injured from beatings. The mission is verifying reports of a second fatality.
Protests remain rare since the Taliban’s 2021 takeover, with dissent punishable by law. The regime enforces strict Shariah interpretations, including bans on women’s education past primary school and restrictive dress codes.
Regulations mandate full hijab coverage—headscarf, robe, and face veil exposing only the eyes—enforced by the Ministry for Virtue and Vice, notorious for harsh punishments.
UNAMA reported at least 30 women arrested in Herat over the weekend, with dozens more receiving warnings. While released on June 8, the psychological impact on families persists, per the statement.
The U.N. urged authorities to repeal policies violating women’s rights and comply with international law, emphasizing rights to peaceful assembly and freedom from arbitrary detention.
Herat police spokesperson Sayed Masoud Hosseini called the protests “disruptive,” framing security forces’ intervention as necessary to restore order under Shariah law.
He accused protesters of exploiting hijab issues to incite unrest, ignoring public safety concerns.
On Monday, the vice and virtue ministry dismissed arrest reports, calling hijab adherence a “divine command” and alleged claims “rumors.”
Georgette Gagnon, UNAMA chief, warned that women’s detentions carry long-term stigma, risking further isolation. She stressed obligations under international law to protect freedoms of expression and assembly.
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