Arresting of Young Girls on the Charge of Not Observing Hijab by the Taliban in Dasht-E-Barchi, Kabul
By Mohajir Times
According to Mohajir Times, quoting from local sources and media, the detention of young girls in western Kabul by the Taliban has continued over the past few consecutive days. The Taliban, during these successive days, have detained dozens of young girls from the Dasht-E-Barchi region in western Kabul and transferred them to Taliban security detention centers. Images published by public sources in Kabul to social and official media indicate that Taliban fighters have detained young girls from various areas of Dasht-e Barchi, Afghanistan, under the pretext of not observing hijab and transported them to undisclosed locations in private vehicles.
Informed sources in Kabul state, “The Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has initiated a new control over women's attire and has instructed Taliban members to detain and imprison women who do not observe hijab in the Taliban's manner. The Minister of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the Taliban has also urged Afghanistan traders not to import thin and tight clothing into the country. The Taliban's Promotion of Virtue branch has even threatened young girls in educational centers in Dasht-e Barchi, western Kabul, stating that if they do not observe hijab in the Taliban's manner, they will be sent to Pul-e-Charkhi Prison.”
With these Taliban actions, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) states, “The continuation of arbitrary detentions in Afghanistan is concerning.” On Wednesday, January 3, 2024, UNAMA issued a message on the X social media, stating that Ahmad Fahim Azimi and Sediqullah Afghan, defenders of girls' education, and Manizha Sediqi, a women's rights activist, have been in Taliban custody since October of last year. UNAMA calls for an end to arbitrary detentions in Afghanistan and emphasizes that the rights of detainees, including access to family members, defense lawyers, nurses, and fair trials, must be respected.
Meanwhile, Richard Bent, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said on Friday, January 5, 2024, in a message on the X social media page, “The detention of women in Kabul reflects further restrictions on women's freedom of expression and undermines other rights. Mr. Richard Bent has urged the Taliban to release all detainees immediately and unconditionally.” #mohajirtimes
