ISLAMABAD (AP) The United Nations on Monday raised alarms regarding the Taliban's recent arrests of Afghan women and girls for allegedly not adhering to the government's dress code. This development emphasizes ongoing human rights concerns within Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
In May 2022, the Taliban government issued a decree mandating that women show only their eyes while recommending the use of a full-body burqa. Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has intensified restrictions on women’s public behavior and attire through various morality laws. These laws explicitly prohibit women from exposing their faces in public settings, further entrenching gender discrimination in the country.
The U.N. mission in Afghanistan reported that between July 16 and 19, numerous women and girls in Kabul were arrested under claims of failing to comply with hijab instructions, which require female individuals to wear an Islamic headscarf. The U.N. expressed that such incidents contribute to the isolation of women and girls, cultivate a climate of fear, and diminish public trust in the regime.
The mission highlighted the absence of details regarding the number of arrests, the ages of those detained, or their current whereabouts. The U.N. urged the Taliban government to rescind policies and practices that infringe upon the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls. Notably, this includes advocacy against the ban on educational access for girls beyond sixth grade, a critical issue spearheaded by various humanitarian organizations.
A representative for the Taliban was not available for immediate comment. In January 2024, the country’s Vice and Virtue Ministry announced that women had been arrested in Kabul for wearing what they deemed “bad hijab.” However, a ministry spokesman, Abdul Ghafar Farooq, did not specify the number of women arrested or define what constituted “bad hijab.”
Following the announcement of these arrests, the U.N. mission indicated it was investigating allegations of mistreatment faced by the women and claims of extortion for their release. Such reports mirror a growing trend of severe consequences that women encounter as they navigate repressive regulations imposed by the Taliban.
The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, a pivotal moment that reshaped the political landscape of the nation. Since then, the Taliban administration has sought international recognition while strictly enforcing its interpretation of Islamic law. As of July, only Russia has formally recognized the Taliban government, marking an isolated stance on global political acknowledgment.
This ongoing crackdown on female rights and freedoms continues to spark outrage among international organizations and advocates for human rights. The situation remains fluid, and the international community watches with concern as the Taliban regime persists in enforcing stringent dress codes and other oppressive laws that disproportionately affect women and girls in Afghanistan.
