United Nations experts, responding to the detention of women and the suppression of protesters in Herat, say that the Taliban must adhere to their human rights obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 11, the experts expressed deep concern over reports of the “excessive use of force” against protesters in the city of Herat.
The statement said that the use of force in law enforcement is permissible only when it complies with international law and is lawful, necessary, and proportionate.
Last Tuesday, several residents in Herat held a protest gathering in the Jebrail area to oppose increasing restrictions and the detention of dozens of women for not wearing the chadari/burqa.
According to the statement, Taliban fighters opened fire on protesters, including men, women, and children, and physically assaulted them. As a result, at least two people, including a child, were killed, and more than twenty others were injured.
The experts stressed: “Equality, the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and movement, and protection against arbitrary detention are fundamental rights that are essential for restoring public trust and preventing further deterioration of the situation.”
The United Nations experts called on the Taliban to conduct an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the incident and to prevent the continued suppression of protests.
