Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – In a chilling escalation, the Taliban’s draconian dress code enforcement has sparked global outrage as UN human rights experts express profound concern over arbitrary arrests and inhumane treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan. The crackdown, spreading from western Kabul to other regions, involves arrests in public spaces, with reports of women forcibly taken, held incommunicado, and subjected to violence for allegedly not wearing clothes based on Taliban’s strict laws.
The UN rights office reveals harrowing conditions—overcrowded cells, meager meals, and intimidation tactics. The opaque nature of these arrests makes it nearly impossible to gauge the extent of detainees held incommunicado, adding a layer of secrecy to an already dire situation.
Since May 2022, the Taliban’s enforcement of a rigid dress code has escalated, placing the responsibility on male relatives. Release conditions hinge on family assurances of future compliance. UN experts strongly argue that this approach violates women’s agency and perpetuates a discriminatory system.
A recent UN report exposes the shocking reality of hundreds of Afghan women forced out of jobs or arrested for seemingly trivial reasons, including buying contraceptives or merely being unaccompanied. The de facto authorities’ stance on unmarried women working further exacerbates the crisis.
Amidst the turmoil, Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation continues to spiral. A $3.06 billion response plan for 2024 seeks to address urgent needs, focusing on food supplies, infrastructure rebuilding, and protecting vulnerable groups. As the country grapples with decades of conflict, poverty, and rights restrictions, the global community faces an urgent call to action to avert a looming catastrophe.
