A number of Afghan women, religious scholars, and human rights activists are criticizing the Taliban government for its systematic and arbitrary arrests of women and girls. They are calling on the international community to exert pressure on the group to halt these detentions.
These critics argue that the Taliban's policies and actions, particularly concerning women, are inconsistent with the teachings of Islam. According to the religious scholars, Islam emphasizes human dignity and the protection of individual rights, whereas the Taliban's measures often violate these principles. Women activists accuse the Taliban of using religion as a tool to suppress society and impose severe restrictions.
This outcry follows reports of the detention of young women and girls in Kabul and other provinces under various pretexts, including alleged non-compliance with the Taliban's strict dress code. These arrests have sparked widespread concern both within Afghanistan and internationally.
Human rights activists state that these detentions are carried out without legal warrants or access to legal counsel, constituting arbitrary detention and a clear violation of human rights. They are urging the United Nations and other international bodies to address the issue seriously.
Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban government has imposed severe restrictions on the rights and freedoms of women. These include banning girls from education beyond the sixth grade, prohibiting women from working in most government offices and non-governmental organizations, and restricting their freedom of movement.
The call for international pressure comes as the Taliban seeks global recognition. Critics believe that the international community should make any recognition of the Taliban government conditional on significant improvements in the human rights situation, especially for women and girls.
The Taliban, however, have consistently claimed that they are providing women with their rights within the framework of Islamic Sharia. Their interpretation of Sharia law, however, has faced extensive criticism both nationally and internationally.
Source: Local reports
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