UN human rights expert Richard Bennett condemned what he described as excessive force against reportedly peaceful protesters in Herat, who gathered after alleged detentions of women for dress-code violations. Videos circulating online show gunfire and people being beaten, though their authenticity has not been independently verified. The Taliban's Ministry of Virtue and Vice denied arrests, while local sources say detained women were later released after paying fines. The unrest comes after a 2024 morality law that reestablished a morality police and tightened dress rules for women.
UN Expert Warns of Excessive Force After Herat Protests Over Alleged Detentions
FILE PHOTO - A Taliban fighter checks his weapon next to an armoured vehicle at a checkpoint near Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan. (is associated with: «UN expert criticizes use of force against protestors in Afghanistan») Sami Jan/dpa
Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights, has condemned what he described as the excessive use of force against "seemingly peaceful protesters" in the western Afghan city of Herat. He posted on X that authorities must de-escalate tensions, protect freedom of expression—especially for women and girls—and hold those responsible for violence to account.
The demonstration began on Tuesday morning after reports that members of the Taliban's morality police detained women for alleged violations of dress-code rules. The United Nations in Afghanistan previously expressed concern over multiple reports of arrests and detentions of women in the province for alleged non-compliance with Taliban dress requirements.
Videos circulating on social media appear to show gunfire directed into crowds and people being beaten with long objects. In one clip, several women can be heard chanting, "Education, work and freedom." Independent verification of these clips was not immediately possible.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Virtue and Vice denied that its forces had carried out arrests in Herat and called the reports false. Local sources who spoke to dpa said women who had been detained were later released after paying fines following mediation by community leaders.
The unrest follows a 2024 morality law introduced by the Taliban that reestablished a morality police with stricter regulations, including requirements for women to cover their faces in public. Protests are relatively rare in Afghanistan under the current authorities, making the events in Herat notable for both their public nature and the international attention they have drawn.
Context: The UN and international rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about restrictions on women's rights, freedom of assembly, and the use of force by Afghan authorities since the Taliban takeover.
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