Human Rights Watch (HRW) has reported that Taliban fighters used excessive violence and force against protesters during recent demonstrations in the city of Herat, resulting in the death of one child, injuries to several others, and the detention of several people.
In a report published on Thursday, June 11, the organization stated that the protests erupted following the arrest of women and girls for violating Taliban dress code regulations in Herat.
According to the report, Taliban fighters beat protesters and opened fire on them.
HRW stated that as a result of the gunfire, an 11-year-old boy was killed and several others were wounded.
The organization reported that Taliban fighters initially fired into the air to disperse the crowd, but then directed gunfire at the protesters and even pursued those who were attempting to flee.
HRW also reported that following the protests, Taliban fighters conducted raids on homes and searched people’s mobile phones to find photos and videos of the demonstrations.
Fereshta Abbasi, HRW’s Afghanistan researcher, stated that the Taliban fear any form of dissent, and for this reason have intensified their suppression of freedom of expression and other fundamental rights of citizens of Afghanistan.
According to the organization, protesters in Herat had chanted slogans in support of “women’s right to work, education, and freedom,” and public outrage over the detention of women was the primary catalyst behind the gatherings.
HRW has called on the Taliban to end their suppression of protests and to guarantee the right of citizens to hold peaceful assemblies in accordance with international human rights standards.
