A number of European lawmakers, former members of Afghanistan’s parliament and human rights activists have called on the European Union to refrain from inviting Taliban representatives to Brussels and from any official hosting of the group.

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has called on the European Union and its member states not to return Afghans to places where they face danger.

Local sources in Herat say the Taliban have arrested four people accused of taking part in recent protests in the province.

The protesters say they were not demanding special privileges and did not chant political slogans. They shouted only three words: “Work, Education and Freedom.” However, they say the Taliban could not tolerate even these simple demands and responded with gunfire and beatings.