Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, on Tuesday, 9 June expressed alarm over the use of force against protesters in Herat, after reports indicated that Taliban forces opened fire to disperse a crowd that had gathered to condemn the mass arrest of Afghan women and girls for alleged dress code violations. Several protesters were reportedly injured in the crackdown.

What Triggered the Protest

The demonstration in Herat's Jibrail area followed the detention of at least 21 women and girls by Taliban morality police over three consecutive days, according to reports. The arrests were carried out across multiple locations in Herat, including the southern road, Almas Market, and the Qasr area. Among those detained was reportedly a nurse employed at Herat Regional Hospital.

The Taliban Directive Behind the Arrests

The detentions followed a directive issued by the Taliban's Directorate for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat, which ordered male family members to ensure women comply with the Taliban's interpretation of Islamic dress requirements. Under the directive, women seen in public without a prayer veil, with uncovered faces, or wearing tight clothing or makeup could face detention and transfer to a women's detention facility.

What the UN Said

Bennett posted on X: 'Alarmed by excessive use of force against seemingly peaceful protesters in Herat today; it's time to defuse the tension, respect citizens' freedom of expression, especially women and girls, and avoid further harm. Those responsible for violence must be held accountable.'

In a separate post on X, Bennett wrote: 'I am deeply alarmed that for a 3rd consecutive day, scores of women in Herat continue to be arbitrarily arrested and detained for violating the Taliban's dress code. It is illegal and unacceptable. The arrests must stop, and the women must be released immediately.'

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also posted on X, stating it was 'concerned over multiple arrests and detentions of women in Herat Afghanistan for alleged non-compliance with dress requirements, which raises serious human rights concerns.' UNAMA further reminded 'the de facto authorities that all people have the right to freedom of movement and that all persons, both women and men, are entitled to equality before the law.'

International Reaction and Broader Context

The international community has broadly condemned the detentions. This comes amid a sustained pattern of Taliban restrictions on Afghan women that have drawn repeated censure from the United Nations since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Critics argue that each successive directive narrows the space available to Afghan women in public life, with enforcement growing visibly more aggressive. The use of live fire to disperse protesters marks a notable escalation in the Taliban's response to domestic dissent over gender-based restrictions.

With the UN now calling for accountability over the violence in Herat, pressure is likely to mount on the Taliban ahead of any future diplomatic engagement — though the de facto authorities have historically dismissed international censure on human rights grounds.