The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said Saturday that the detention of women in Herat over alleged violations of Taliban dress requirements has raised serious human rights concerns.
In a statement, UNAMA said it was concerned by “multiple arrests and detentions of women” in the western province for what Taliban described as non-compliance with prescribed dress rules.
“UNAMA is concerned over multiple arrests and detentions of women in Herat, Afghanistan, for alleged non-compliance with dress requirements, which raises serious human rights concerns,” the mission said.
The UN mission also reminded Taliban that freedom of movement and equality before the law are fundamental rights.
“We remind the de facto authorities that all people have the right to freedom of movement and that all persons, both women and men, are entitled to equality before the law,” UNAMA said.
The statement comes after local sources told Amu TV that Taliban morality police had detained at least 21 women and girls in Herat for allegedly failing to comply with their dress code.
According to the sources, the detainees were arrested in several parts of the city, including the southern road, Almas Market and the Qasr area. Among those detained was reportedly a nurse employed at Herat Regional Hospital.
The detentions followed a directive issued by the Taliban’s Directorate for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat, which instructed male family members to ensure that women comply with the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic dress requirements.
A copy of the directive previously obtained by Amu TV stated that women seen in public without a prayer veil, with uncovered faces, wearing tight clothing or makeup could face detention and transfer to a women’s detention facility.
Taliban have not publicly commented on either the reported arrests or UNAMA’s statement.
The incident comes amid reports of increased enforcement of the Taliban’s morality law in different parts of Afghanistan. Human rights groups say the law has expanded restrictions on women and intensified oversight of their dress, movement and participation in public life.
Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women and girls, including bans on secondary and university education, limits on employment and restrictions on access to public spaces.
The United Nations and rights organizations have repeatedly called on the Taliban to reverse those measures and uphold the rights of women and girls.
