A violent crackdown on a protest in Herat, western Afghanistan, against the arrests of women for allegedly violating dress code regulations resulted in at least one death, according to the United Nations' mission in Afghanistan. Eyewitnesses reported that Taliban police opened fire during the protest on June 6, 2023, where between 100 to 150 people demonstrated against detentions that occurred over the weekend.
The UN mission confirmed that a boy was killed by gunfire and several others were injured, with some suffering injuries from being beaten with sticks. They are currently verifying reports of a second fatality. Protests are notably rare in Afghanistan, particularly since the Taliban regained control in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.-led forces. Under Taliban rule, dissent is not tolerated, and protests against government decisions are considered illegal.
The Taliban has enforced a stringent interpretation of Islamic law, resulting in draconian restrictions that significantly affect women and girls. These regulations include prohibitions on education beyond primary school and strict dress codes that mandate women wear full hijab in public, which encompasses a headscarf, a long robe, and a face covering that reveals only the eyes. The enforcement of these dress codes is carried out by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
According to the UN mission, at least 30 women were arrested in Herat on the weekend for alleged violations of the dress code, with "dozens more" reportedly receiving verbal warnings. While these women were released on June 8, the implications of such arbitrary arrests extend deeply into their lives and families. The UN mission called on the Afghan authorities to revoke policies that limit the rights of women and girls and emphasized the need for law enforcement to adhere to international legal standards.
The UN also highlighted that individuals have the right to express their dissent peacefully, free from the fear of violence or retaliation. In response to the protests, the spokesperson for Herat police, Sayed Masoud Hosseini, claimed that security forces maintained a serious approach to any actions disrupting public order, asserting that protesters were "rioters" who disrupted public security under the pretext of opposing the hijab. He stated that the police acted quickly to control the situation.
On June 5, 2023, Afghanistan’s vice and virtue ministry dismissed claims regarding the arrests, labeling them as rumors and reiterating that wearing the hijab is a divine obligation. Furthermore, Georgette Gagnon, the UN's Deputy Special Representative, emphasized that the detention of women carries a significant stigma, potentially placing them at greater risk of violence and social isolation even after their release. She reminded the authorities of their obligations under international law to protect the rights of all Afghans, which includes freedom of expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and protection from arbitrary detention.
Events in Herat showcase the profound challenges facing Afghan women under the current regime, reflecting a broader theme of systemic oppression and the harsh realities of life in Afghanistan today.
