The United Nations has expressed deep concern about the arrest of numerous women in Afghanistan. Protests supporting these women resulted in two fatalities, according to the organization.
In Herat, one of Afghanistan’s major cities, public demonstrations opposed the Taliban’s harsh restrictions on women. Protesters gathered on Friday, prompting the authorities to implement extensive security measures.
Reports on social media and local outlets indicated that demonstrators marched towards a government building in Herat. They carried signs and chanted slogans like “Women, Work and Freedom!” However, videos of these events have not been independently verified.
The protests were planned in response to an earlier demonstration on Tuesday. This prior protest led to the death of two individuals, including a boy. At least 20 others sustained injuries, as reported by the United Nations.
Sayed Masoud Hussaini, a police spokesperson in Herat, refuted claims of arrests or injuries, calling the participants “agitators,” which contradicts witness testimonies and the United Nations’ reports.
During Tuesday’s demonstration, dozens of men and women gathered with their faces covered at a public square in Herat. They chanted “education, work and freedom!”
Herat’s district, known for its liberal social climate compared to other regions, is home to many members of Afghanistan’s Hazara minority and Afghan refugees expelled from Iran last year. The protest slogans were reminiscent of Iran’s 2022 “Woman, life, freedom” movement.
Leave a Reply