Afghanistan: Several injured as Taliban open fire during hijab protest
Afghanistan: Several Injured as Taliban Open Fire During Hijab Protest
Afghanistan – On Tuesday, tensions flared in the western city of Herat as Taliban security forces reportedly used gunfire to suppress a demonstration advocating for women arrested over dress code violations. The incident left multiple individuals with injuries, sparking concern over the use of force during the protest.
Protest and Crackdown Details
According to witnesses, a group of approximately 100 to 150 Afghan men had gathered to show support for over a dozen women detained last week for violating public dress requirements. These women were reportedly arrested for not wearing the full chador or face-covering burqa.
“They even fired shots into the air,” said one observer, recounting the actions of security personnel who employed “sticks, whips, and firearms” to disperse the crowd.
“Some people were injured. I saw blood on the road,” added another witness, highlighting the immediate impact of the crackdown.
The precise number of injured and the exact cause of their wounds remained unclear. A photographer at the scene described security forces as “striking protesters and firing weapons in the direction of the crowd,” noting that “a significant number of people were injured.”
Taliban’s Rules and Enforcement
Herat police officials stated that the protest was organized under the guise of challenging hijab regulations, asserting that security forces “successfully contained the situation and prevented further escalation.” The demonstration was reportedly planned through social media, where residents were urged to “defend the rights of our sisters.”
Since the Taliban reclaimed power in 2021, strict interpretations of Sharia law have been enforced, including harsh restrictions on women’s attire and educational opportunities. The morality police, part of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, are responsible for upholding these rules.
“The issues being spread about women being arrested in Herat are all rumors,” the ministry claimed, emphasizing that the hijab is “a divine command, a law we are obliged to implement.”
Dissent and Legal Context
A human rights researcher confirmed at least 16 detentions in Herat since Friday, citing alleged breaches of dress codes. Among those detained was a pregnant woman, underscoring the broad application of the rules. Fereshta Abbasi of Human Rights Watch expressed alarm over the “apparent use of lethal force” and the “arbitrary detention of women for so-called inappropriate clothing.”
“It is very concerning,” Abbasi said, urging the Taliban to “immediately release all those detained for peaceful protest and provide health services to those injured.”
Richard Bennett, the UN’s human rights investigator in Afghanistan, shared his dismay on social media, stating: “It’s time to defuse the tension, respect citizens’ freedom of expression, especially women and girls, and avoid further harm.” He called for accountability of those responsible for the violence during the protest.