Amnesty International Calls For End to Arbitrary Arrests & Suppression of Women

Following the detention of several women in Kabul for not wearing the mandated hijab, Amnesty International has said that the Taliban’s suppression and arbitrary arrests is a violation of women's freedom of movement and expression.

This organisation called for an immediate stop to the arbitrary arrests and release of women and girls.

In the past few days, Taliban officials were seen enforcing hijab compliance in various areas in Kabul. There are reports of beatings and arrests of several girls who did not adhere to the mandated hijab, with the individuals subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

Sources informed Afghanistan International that families in Dashte Barchi area of Kabul, seeking the release of their daughters from the Taliban police station, were asked by Taliban officials to participate in a march supporting the Taliban's hijab mandate in exchange for the girls' release.

Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur, also urged Taliban to release women detained for the group’s required hijab non-compliance.