UN Experts Criticise Afghan Actions Against Women Amid Protests

A group of United Nations experts has voiced serious concern regarding a recent crackdown on women in Herat, Afghanistan. The incident, which occurred on June 9, led to violent protests against strict dress code enforcement, resulting in at least two deaths and numerous injuries. Reports indicate that Herat's morality police arrested dozens of women for not complying with the dress code that mandates women to wear a burka or chador. The dress code is overseen by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV), which specifies that women must cover all but their eyes when in public. A recent protest was reportedly met with force, leading to tragic outcomes, including the death of a boy due to gunfire from security forces. Although local police have denied using firearms, UN experts have stated that excessive force was applied during these confrontations. In a statement released on June 11, ten independent UN experts described the detentions as deeply troubling, labelling them as arbitrary and unlawful. They stressed that such actions impede women’s rights to freedom of expression and movement, as well as perpetuate gender discrimination. Affected women include a medical worker employed by Doctors Without Borders (MSF), who was detained while going to work and released only after signing a commitment to adhere to the PVPV's dress regulations. MSF expressed outrage over the incident and noted that this case is emblematic of the broader, severe restrictions on women in Afghanistan that stifle their participation in public life. Following the crackdown, the PVPV in Herat issued new guidelines enforcing stricter adherence to dress codes, including prohibitions on make-up and visible hair. UN Women has echoed concerns regarding the long-term ramifications of arbitrary arrests on women and their families, underscoring the stigma attached to arrested women, which may lead to further violence and social isolation. The UN Deputy Special Representative in Afghanistan, Georgette Gagnon, has called for immediate cessation of these harmful practices and highlighted the need for the Taliban to comply with international human rights standards, particularly regarding the rights of women. The situation continues to escalate, with fears growing among women and girls about their safety and freedom as the Taliban further tightens its grip on civil liberties in the country.