The United Nations has voiced concern over reports that Taliban forces used live ammunition to disperse a civil protest in Herat, calling on the authorities to avoid any unnecessary or disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrators.
Speaking at a press briefing in New York on Wednesday, UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said the organization continues to advocate for an environment where all Afghans, particularly women and girls, can safely and freely access essential services and humanitarian assistance, including healthcare, nutrition, education and protection services.
Referring to humanitarian assessments, Haq said dozens of women and girls were reportedly detained in Herat in recent days for allegedly violating the Taliban’s dress code requirements. He added that some of those taken into custody were healthcare workers.
According to the United Nations mission in Afghanistan, at least 30 women were detained by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice between June 7 and 8 in Herat. The detainees were accused of failing to comply with dress code regulations, while dozens of other women reportedly received verbal warnings.
The UN mission further stated that at least one teenage boy was killed after Taliban personnel opened fire during the unrest, while several others were reportedly injured following beatings. Reports regarding a second fatality are still being verified.
The United Nations also expressed concern over the detention of women and girls, the reported violence surrounding the incidents in Herat, and growing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The latest developments have renewed international scrutiny of restrictions imposed on Afghan women and girls, as well as concerns over the treatment of civilians during enforcement actions carried out by Taliban authorities.
