United Nations experts condemn a crackdown by Afghanistan’s so-called morality police in Herat, where dozens of women are reported to have been arrested for alleged violations of dress rules. Multiple reports say the arrests begin after women are ordered or expected to wear body-cloaking garments, including chadors and burqas, and that detainees are held for not complying with the required clothing.
In a statement cited by both outlets, the UN experts say allegations that women are detained for dress code violations raise serious concerns. They state such actions may amount to arbitrary and unlawful detention and appear to penalize women’s exercise of rights, including freedom of expression and freedom from gender discrimination. The experts’ comments frame the situation as part of a broader pattern of gender-based restrictions, emphasizing that detentions linked to clothing requirements can violate international human rights standards.
The reports focus on the UN criticism of the arrests and the legal and rights implications of detaining women for dress-related conduct in Herat.
