UN rights experts condemn Taliban-Afghan government for arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force – JURIST

UN rights experts on Thursday condemned the de facto Taliban government in Afghanistan for detaining 30 women for alleged dress code violations and using excessive force against protestors demonstrating against the restrictive dress codes in the city of Herat.

The protests concerned “increasingly repressive restrictions” and the detention of multiple women for violating orders restricting their attire such as the wearing of a burka or chador with a face mask and a ban on use of perfumes. Authorities allegedly opened fire on and physically assaulted protestors, which included women and children. According to reports, two were killed, including a minor, and 20 were injured. While the experts acknowledged reports of stone-throwing by some of the protestors, they noted that this act alone does not warrant use of lethal force.

The experts urged the Taliban to comply with international human rights treaties and reminded that Afghanistan is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The experts added:

Use of force in law enforcement is strictly restricted under international law. It is permitted only when it is legal, necessary and proportionate to the threat posed to officers or to others, and when it respects principles of precaution, non-discrimination and accountability…

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…

Equality, peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and movement, and protection from arbitrary detention are fundamental rights essential to restoring public confidence and preventing further deterioration of the situation

Special Deputy Representative for Afghanistan Georgette Gagnon confirmed that the women, who were arrested sometime during the weekend were released on Monday. However, Gagnon, who also leads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan warned that the arrests in and of themselves carry “enormous stigma, which can put women at risk of further violence and isolation in their families and communities even after they are released. Gagnon likewise called on the Taliban to comply with international legal standards and uphold the rights of “all” Afghans to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, liberty and security of person, and to freedom from arbitrary detention.

The experts have called on the Taliban to “promptly, effectively, independently, impartially and transparently” open an investigation into the incident to determine whether “the use of lethal force was strictly necessary and proportionate to protect life,” and hold accountable those responsible “and their chain of command.”

Since regaining power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed multiple restrictions on the rights of girls and women, including a ban on education, employment prohibitions, and the implementation of discriminatory laws. Earlier this month, Taliban authorities prohibited Afghan women from entering UN premises, which was decried by a coalition of UN experts. In March 2026, the UN found in a report that these policies resulted in a systemic restriction on Afghan women’s access to health care. In July 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against a Taliban leader for implementing extensive legal restrictions that targeted women and girls.

In addition to constituting serious violations of Afghan women’s fundamental rights, these restrictive policies and the exclusion of women from public life had devastating consequences on Afghanistan’s broader socio-economic situation by depriving the nation of educated professionals who could contribute to providing vital services, especially during crises such as environmental disasters.