UN Experts Raise Alarms Over Afghanistan’s Arrests of Women for Dress Code Violations
Independent UN human rights experts voiced serious concerns on Thursday regarding the arrest of dozens of women in Afghanistan. These women were reportedly detained for allegedly violating dress code mandates, which include requirements for wearing a burqa or face-covering niqab and a ban on perfumes.
The arrests occur amidst escalating challenges to women’s human rights in the country. Since the de facto authorities regained control on August 15, 2021, restrictions on women’s access to education, employment, and other fundamental rights have intensified.
A UN body focused on women’s rights and gender equality issued a warning on Thursday, stating, “While many women have been released, the arrests have heightened fear and anxiety among women and girls across Afghanistan.” The experts emphasized that arbitrary detention and arrest can have profound and long-lasting consequences for women and their families.
Statements from UN Women, which manages the UN mission in Afghanistan, and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) highlighted that the detention of women carries a significant stigma, potentially exposing them to increased risks of violence and isolation within their families and communities.
Concerns Mount Over Use of Force During Protests
Adding to these concerns, human rights experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council expressed deep worry on Thursday about the reported “excessive use of force” against demonstrators. These protests, held on June 9 in Herat, were against restrictive measures and the subsequent arrest of numerous women. According to the independent experts, Taliban security forces allegedly opened fire on protesters, including women, men, and children, and subjected some to beatings. Reports indicate that at least two individuals, including a child, were killed, and over 20 others were injured.
The experts acknowledged that some protesters engaged in stone-throwing but stressed that such actions alone do not justify the strict threshold for the use of lethal force. “The Taliban, as the de facto authority in Afghanistan, must abide by the international human rights treaties to which Afghanistan is a party,” the experts stated.
Upholding the Right to Freedom
The experts further added, “The rights to equality, freedom of peaceful assembly, expression, and movement, and protection from arbitrary detention are fundamental rights that must be upheld to re-establish public confidence and prevent further deterioration of the situation.” They called for an immediate de-escalation of tensions to prevent further violence or harm.
The experts, who serve in an unpaid capacity and are not UN staff, urged the Taliban to release detainees immediately, refrain from any mistreatment, avoid actions or statements that impede access to medical care for the injured, and cease house searches.
