Fereshta Abbasi, a researcher on Afghanistan at Human Rights Watch (HRW), has responded to the crackdown on protesters in Herat, saying that the organization has received “disturbing reports” from the province.
On Tuesday, June 9, Abbasi wrote on her X account that the Taliban must immediately refrain from using force against protesters and release those detained for participating in peaceful demonstrations.
According to her, protesters should be allowed to hold peaceful demonstrations without resorting to violence or intimidation.
Her remarks come as the Taliban earlier today violently suppressed women and men in Herat’s Jebrail area who had taken part in a protest against the arrest of women by the group.
Shocking videos from the crackdown on the protests have been circulated, showing Taliban fighters firing directly at people.
