UNITED NATIONS: UN human rights experts have expressed deep concern over numerous reports detailing the arbitrary arrest, detention and ill-treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
The incidents, which have been increasing since early January, are said to be linked to the Taliban’s violation of strict dress codes for women.
In a joint statement, experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council called on the Taliban to respect Afghanistan’s human rights obligations, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
The Taliban crackdown initially began in western Kabul, populated mainly by the minority Hazara ethnic community – which has been the target of extremist violence for years – but quickly spread to other areas, including Tajik areas and provinces such as Bamiyan, Baghlan, Balkh, Daykundi and Kunduz, she said United Nations.
“Women and girls were reportedly held in overcrowded spaces in police stations, received only one meal a day, with some of them being subjected to physical violence, threats and intimidation,” they said.
In May 2022, the Taliban ordered all women to observe “proper hijab”, preferably by wearing a ‘chadar’ in public and made male relatives responsible for enforcing the ban or face punishment. Some were forcibly taken into police vehicles, held in solitary confinement and denied legal representation, according to a press release issued on behalf of the experts by the UN rights office OHCHR.
While some detainees were freed after a few hours, others reportedly remained in custody for days or weeks.
The lack of transparency and access to justice means that the current number of detainees potentially held in solitary confinement is difficult to assess.
Their release is conditional on male family members and community elders providing assurances, often in writing, that they will adhere to the prescribed dress code in the future.
The experts are mandated by the Human Rights Council to monitor and report on the country’s rights situation, as well as violence and discrimination against women and girls.
Last month, a UN report found that several hundred Afghan women were forced out of their jobs or arrested and denied access to basic services in the last quarter of 2023.
Among those arrested were women from a medical facility and women who were not accompanied by a mahram – a male escort.
The de facto authorities reportedly stated that “it was inappropriate for an unmarried woman to work”.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate across the country, the UN said.
Four decades of conflict, entrenched poverty, natural disasters caused by climate change and severe restrictions on rights have left nearly 24 million people, including more than 12 million children, in need of humanitarian assistance and protection.
In response, the UN and aid partners launched a $3.06 billion response plan for 2024, with a target of $17.3 million in aid.
We need more food supplies as well as rebuilding the agricultural sector, health systems, water and sanitation, the UN said, while also emphasizing the protection of women, children and other vulnerable groups as a key priority. —APP
