Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The Taliban have arrested women in Kabul for what they deem as “bad hijab,” marking the first instance of such actions against Afghan women. This move is seen as a further effort by the group to restrict women’s rights and exclude them from public life, drawing condemnation from women’s rights activists in Afghanistan.
International organizations, including Amnesty International, have strongly condemned the Taliban’s crackdown on women, emphasizing the severe violations of freedom of movement and expression. Amnesty International called for an immediate halt to the dress code crackdown and the release of detained women.
The situation has sparked global outrage, with the international community urging the Taliban to uphold its commitment to women’s rights and establish an inclusive government. The arrest of women over hijab choices has been labeled as an attempt to make the lives of Afghan women more difficult, prompting calls for official recognition of the Taliban’s actions as “gender apartheid.”
Despite widespread criticism and calls for respect for women’s rights, the Taliban continues to enforce repressive measures, including barring women from attending secondary schools and universities, restricting travel, and limiting participation in various activities. Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, expressed concern over the recent arrests, calling for the immediate release of the women without conditions.
Amidst the growing outcry, reports have emerged of tragic consequences, with Zahra Mohammadi, one of the female protestors, taking her own life after being released from Taliban captivity. The incident adds to concerns about the well-being of detained women and underscores the urgency of addressing the human rights crisis unfolding in Afghanistan.
