Lead

A crackdown by Taliban morality police on women in Afghanistan's western city of Herat has sparked rare protests, leading to violence that killed at least two people and wounded more than 20, according to UN experts. The arrests, which began in early June over alleged dress-code violations, drew condemnation from the United Nations and human rights organizations, as Taliban authorities denied reports of casualties and defended their enforcement of Islamic dress rules.

Coverage Comparison

Initial reports from ABC Australia and the BBC said at least two people were killed during protests against the arrests, with some witnesses claiming that security forces opened fire. Deutsche Welle reported that the Taliban detained at least 30 women and that forces responded to the demonstrations with live fire, citing UNAMA and human rights groups. The Jerusalem Post, quoting UN Women, said the arrests left many women released but heightened fear across the country. Dawn and the South China Morning Post focused on the UN mission's expression of concern, while France 24 highlighted a rare rally by Afghan men in solidarity with the women. The Hindu reported that UN experts denounced the crackdown and that the protests were broken up by force. Local police, as covered by the BBC and France 24, denied any deaths and disputed witness accounts of live fire, alleging the protesters disturbed public order.

Key Claims

At least two dead in protest violence

The UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts said in a statement that at least two people, including a boy, were killed and more than 20 wounded during a protest on June 9. Witnesses told media outlets that Taliban forces used sticks, whips, and firearms to disperse the crowd, and a photographer said he saw security forces striking protesters and firing weapons toward the crowd. Herat police denied that any weapons were used, accusing protesters of seeking to "disturb public order."

Arrests of women for dress-code violations

At least 30 women were arrested by the Taliban's morality police in Herat for allegedly failing to comply with dress requirements, which mandate that women be almost entirely covered when leaving home. The arrests occurred across several neighbourhoods, and some women were later released. A 23-year-old woman told AFP she witnessed two ministry employees, one carrying a whip, putting two women who were not wearing chadors into a vehicle. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice told AFP that the dress code is "a divine command and an enforced law, and we are obligated to implement it."

UN and rights groups respond

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it was "concerned over multiple arrests and detentions of women in Herat," and reminded the authorities that all people have the right to freedom of movement and equality before the law. UN Women said it was "gravely concerned" and noted that the arrests heightened fear among women and girls. Ten independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council said the alleged detentions "may constitute arbitrary and unlawful detention," penalising women's rights to freedom of expression and freedom from gender discrimination. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) also confirmed that one of its staff members was held for two days after being stopped by the morality police, and was released only after signing a commitment to wear specific clothing.

Perspectives

The Taliban authorities defend the enforcement of dress codes as a religious obligation. The spokesperson for Herat police said the protesters "attempted to gather and create tensions under the pretext of protesting issues related to the observance of the hijab," and that the security response was necessary to maintain public order. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice asserted that the dress code is "a divine command and an enforced law," and dismissed concerns about women being detained as "nothing unusual." In contrast, UN bodies, human rights experts, and local protesters view the arrests as an arbitrary and harsh application of rules that strips women of basic freedoms. The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said he was "alarmed by (the) excessive use of force against seemingly peaceful protesters."