UN experts demand inquiry after deadly Taliban crackdown on protests over women’s arrests
NEW YORK: UN human rights experts on Thursday condemned the detention by the Taliban regime in Afghanistan of dozens of women for alleged dress code violations and expressed alarm over the use of force against protesters demonstrating against the arrests.
The experts said they were “deeply concerned” by reports that Taliban authorities detained dozens of women in Herat in western Afghanistan on June 6-7 for allegedly violating restrictions on women’s attire, including requirements to wear a burka or chador with a face covering and a ban on perfume.
Protests erupted in Herat on June 9 in response to the arrests and increasingly restrictive measures imposed on women. Taliban officials fired on demonstrators and beat protesters, including men, women and children. At least two people, including a boy, were reportedly killed and more than 20 injured.
“Use of force in law enforcement is strictly restricted under international law,” the experts said. “It is permitted only when it is legal, necessary and proportionate to the threat posed to officers or to others.”
