Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 12th Jan. UN mission in Afghanistan on Thursday said that it is “deeply concerned” over a recent spate of arbitrary arrests and detentions of women and girls by Taliban officials for alleged non-compliance with the Islamic dress code.
UNAMA has documented a series of hijab decree enforcement campaigns by the de facto Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, aided by Taliban police units since 1 January, in Kabul and Daykundi provinces.
The mission in a press statement issued stated that in Kabul, large numbers of women and girls have been warned and detained. Some have also been detained in Nili City in Daykundi province.
UNAMA is looking into allegations of ill treatment and detention. Religious and ethnic minority communities also appear to be disproportionately impacted by the clamp down.
It reported that to secure release, a mahram, or male guardian, has been required to sign a letter guaranteeing future compliance or else face punishment, and it’s alleged that payments have sometimes been demanded.
Roza Otunbayeva, Special Representative and head of UNAMA said “Enforcement measures involving physical violence are especially demeaning and dangerous for Afghan women and girls,” .
“Detentions carry an enormous stigma that put Afghan women at even greater risk,” Ms. Otunbayeva said. “They also destroy public trust.”
UNAMA has discussed these issues with the de facto authorities and calls for the immediate release of those detained.
