Taliban committing ‘widespread violations’ against Afghan women, girls in Herat, claims Human Rights Watch | World News

Human Rights Watch accused the hard-line Islamist group Taliban on Monday of causing “widespread and serious human rights violations against women and girls” in the Afghan province of Herat.

The nonprofit claims that since taking over Herat on Aug. 12, the Taliban have continued to have fear and concern among women in the country by imposing compulsory dress codes and restricting their mobility and access to employment and education. The militant group continued to look for “high-ranking” women in the province, the watchdog claimed.

Women interviewed by Human Rights Watch and the Human Rights Institute at San Jose State University (SJSU) paint a bleak picture of their lives under Taliban rule in Herat.

“For the women in Herat we interviewed, life as they knew it was gone overnight, and they hid inside and waited in fear to see if the Taliban would bring them,” said an Afghan scientist who worked with the Project is connected.

“The best scenario for these women is to be unharmed but forced to lead a drastically reduced life. The worst possible scenario is to be arrested or attacked for their past accomplishments or their struggle to uphold their hard-earned rights. “

The situation on the ground is appalling for the women, as Herat were the first to protest against the Taliban takeover, in which two demonstrators were shot for opposing the Taliban. However, two months after they came to power, activists stopped organizing anti-Taliban protests and called on those in power to respect their fundamental rights.

Herat, once the stronghold of the warlord Ismail Khan, fell to the Taliban after Khan was captured by the militant group. Popularly known as the “Lion of Herat”, Khan had returned to the front lines in July after nearly two decades to thwart attempts by the Taliban to conquer the province, but was ultimately defeated.

The Taliban abide by the strict Sharia law, which has restricted women’s access to basic human rights across the country.

(with agency entries)

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