Police crack down on anti-hijab protests in western Afghanistan

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

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Witnesses said one person was killed, several others were wounded and dozens of people, including women and girls, were arrested.

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Taliban authorities did not comment on any casualties ​or arrests.

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

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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.

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He said inspectors carried out their duties by providing guidance and ​raising awareness about the Islamic hijab.

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Since seizing power in Kabul in 2021, the Taliban ​has imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls in the war-shattered country, including limits on access ‌to education, ⁠employment and sport, drawing widespread international criticism.

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

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Witnesses said the protests erupted when morality officials attempted to arrest women opposing the mandatory dress requirements.

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Some residents said officials targeted ​women who were already ​observing the required ⁠dress code, which includes fully covering the face and body.

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Video, unverified by Reuters, showed armed officials breaking up the demonstration, which included ​fully veiled women among the protesters. In one clip, people ran ​for cover ⁠as gunshots were heard in the background.

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On Monday, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it was concerned by reports of women detained in western Afghanistan for allegedly failing to meet ⁠dress ​requirements. The mission urged Taliban authorities to respect freedom ​of movement and equality before the law.

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The Taliban says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its interpretation ​of Islamic law.