Protest Against Detention of Women in Herat, Taliban Suppress Protesters With Gunfire and Beatings

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The Taliban have suppressed a protest by residents of the Jebrael area of Herat against the group’s detention of women, using gunfire and beatings.

The protest was held today, Tuesday (9 June), after several days of arrests of women and girls by Taliban morality officials in Herat over the type of dress required by the group.

During the protest, dozens of residents of Jebrael gathered at around 8:00 am along the main road of the township and at Bahar-e-Zendagi intersection. Protesters chanted “education, work, freedom”.

Local sources say Taliban forces opened fire to disperse the protesters and beat a number of them with sticks and stones. According to sources, at least three protesters were injured and taken to hospital.

Sources also said that a child near the protest site was injured by bullet fragments. According to them, after dispersing the gathering, the Taliban increased the presence of its forces in Jebrael, and the area has taken on a military atmosphere.

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has expressed concern over the Taliban’s excessive use of force against protesters in Herat. He wrote today on X that those responsible for the violence must be held accountable.

Mr Bennett added that the time has come to de-escalate tensions, respect citizens’ freedoms, especially those of women and girls, and prevent further harm.

The protest was held in response to the detention of women in Herat in recent days. Georgette Gagnon, Acting Head of UNAMA, said yesterday at a special meeting of the United Nations Security Council that the Taliban detained at least 30 women in Herat on Saturday and Sunday because of their clothing.

This comes as the Taliban, since returning to power in 2021, have imposed sweeping restrictions on women’s dress, movement, education, work and social presence.