A group of United Nations experts on Thursday condemned a crackdown on women in Afghanistan's western city of Herat, reporting that at least two individuals lost their lives during a protest against the restrictions. Herat's morality police began arresting dozens of women on Saturday for not wearing the full-body chador or burqa. A protest against these measures on Tuesday was forcefully dispersed, resulting in the death of a boy, according to the UN, while witnesses told AFP that security forces opened fire. Police have denied using any weapons.
UN Experts' Statement
In a statement on Thursday, ten independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council confirmed that at least two people were killed and over twenty were wounded. 'Allegations that women were detained for dress code violations are deeply concerning and may constitute arbitrary and unlawful detention, as it appears to penalise the exercise of their right to freedom of expression and right to be free from gender discrimination,' the experts' statement said. 'Equality, peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and movement, and protection from arbitrary detention are fundamental rights,' it added.
Dress Code Enforcement
The dress code is governed by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (PVPV), and women must be almost entirely covered when they leave home. Many women wear a flowing abaya robe, a Muslim headscarf, and a face covering, rather than a chador or burqa.
Detention of MSF Medic
Among the women detained in Herat was a medical worker employed by Doctors Without Borders (MSF). She was heading to work at Herat Regional Hospital's paediatric ward when she was stopped by the morality police on Saturday and accused of failing to comply with the dress code, the NGO said. The medic was held for two days and released after having to sign, together with her husband and relatives, a written commitment to wear clothing mandated by the PVPV.
MSF 'is outraged by the arrest and detention of one of its employees as part of the enforcement of dress code requirements in the city', the group said. 'This incident is not isolated. Women in Afghanistan already face very severe restrictions on movement and access to public life.'
PVPV Response
The PVPV has not commented on the detention of women in Herat over dress code violations, despite requests for comment from AFP. However, the ministry's department in Herat said new regulations had recently come into force and warned that violations could lead to detention or imprisonment. A list of rules to follow published by Herat's PVPV wing on Wednesday included a ban on wearing make-up or having any hair visible, and an order to wear socks.
