Police crack down on anti-hijab protests in western Afghanistan

Afghan security officials dispersed a women’s rights protest in the western province of Herat on Tuesday after Taliban morality police detained women accused of violating mandatory dress rules, residents said.

Witnesses said one person was killed, several others were wounded, and dozens of people, including women and girls, were arrested. Taliban authorities did not comment on casualties or arrests.

Sayed Masoud Hosseini, spokesperson for Herat police, told state-run Bakhtar News Agency that the gathering in the Jebrail area “created tensions” and disturbed public order under the pretext of opposing the Islamic hijab, which he described as a religious obligation.

Bakhtar quoted Sheikh Azizur Rahman Al-Muhajir, head of Herat’s Department for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, as saying reports that women had been arrested for failing to observe hijab rules were untrue. He said inspectors were carrying out duties by providing guidance and raising awareness about the Islamic hijab.

Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including limits on education, employment, and sport, drawing widespread international criticism.

Herat, once regarded as one of Afghanistan’s most socially and culturally vibrant cities, has undergone significant changes under Taliban rule.

Read More: Women detained in Afghanistan’s Herat in clothing crackdown

Witnesses said protests erupted when morality officials attempted to arrest women opposing mandatory dress requirements. Some residents said officials targeted women already observing the required dress code, which includes a full face and body covering.

Video, unverified by Reuters, showed armed officials breaking up the demonstration, with gunshots heard as people ran for cover.

On Monday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan expressed concern over reports of women detained in western Afghanistan for allegedly failing to meet dress requirements, urging Taliban authorities to respect freedom of movement and equality before the law

The Taliban says they respect women’s rights in accordance with their strict interpretation of Islamic law.