The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that at least one person was killed in Taliban shooting at Herat protest on Tuesday, where residents had gathered to condemn the detention of women accused of violating the Taliban’s dress code.
In a statement on Wednesday, UNAMA said it had verified the death of one person, a boy, who was killed by gunfire during the June 9 protest in the Jebrail area of Herat city. Several others were injured, including some who were beaten with sticks, the mission said. UNAMA added that it was verifying reports of a second fatality.
The protest followed the arrest of at least 30 women in Herat between June 6 and June 7 by officials from the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, along with Taliban police, according to UNAMA.
The women were detained for allegedly violating Taliban dress-code instructions. Dozens of other women reportedly received verbal warnings.
Although the women were released on June 8, UNAMA said the consequences of such arrests extend beyond the period of detention.
“A woman’s detention in Afghanistan carries enormous stigma, which can put women at risk of further violence and isolation in their families and communities even after they are released,” said Georgette Gagnon, the UN secretary-general’s deputy special representative for Afghanistan and acting head of UNAMA.
UNAMA described the arrests as arbitrary and expressed alarm over the use of force against demonstrators who had gathered to protest them.
“The de facto authorities are obliged under international law to uphold the rights of all Afghans to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, liberty and security of person, and freedom from arbitrary detention,” Gagnon said.
The mission reiterated that all law-enforcement actions must comply with international legal standards, including the principles of necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination in the use of force.
Residents of Herat took to the streets on Tuesday after days of reports that Taliban morality police had detained women and girls from several parts of the city over alleged violations of the Taliban’s prescribed dress requirements.
Local sources previously told Amu TV that Taliban forces opened fire to disperse demonstrators. Sources reported that at least two people were killed and several others wounded, though Taliban have not publicly commented on the casualty claims.
The incident has drawn growing international condemnation. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett earlier said he was alarmed by the arrests and by the use of force against what appeared to be peaceful protesters, calling for accountability and respect for fundamental freedoms.
UNAMA also renewed its call on Taliban to reverse policies that restrict the rights of women and girls, including limitations on education, employment, freedom of movement, freedom of expression and participation in public life.
