Taliban Detains Hundreds for Western Lifestyles, Violating Dress Codes

The Taliban has detained hundreds of Afghans, including children, for alleged violations of their strict social codes, according to a United Nations report. Detentions primarily targeted individuals accused of sporting Western-style haircuts, trimming their beards, and failing to adhere to face-covering requirements for women.

From July to September, the Taliban's morality police carried out at least 443 arrests, the UN report states. In one documented instance, two barbers were detained for a month in August for allegedly trimming men's beards and giving customers 'Western' haircuts.

The report also documented over 50 cases of women and girls being arrested, detained, or cautioned for violating face-covering rules. On July 10, the morality police detained 10 women in Herat for not wearing chadors, a full-body cloak. A 13-year-old girl was reportedly detained overnight for not complying with hijab requirements, and a man was detained because his 12-year-old daughter was not wearing a burqa.

Beyond appearance, the crackdown also encompassed individuals accused of failing to attend prayers or listening to music. These detentions come amid an escalation of what the UN describes as psychological abuse by the Taliban to enforce Sharia law.

Last month, footage emerged showing female morality police detaining around 16 Afghan women and girls. The video depicted a woman, believed to be a Taliban official, attempting to force another woman into a vehicle while male officers and other women watched.

In the city of Herat, a resident told Amu TV that women are increasingly afraid to leave their homes, citing harassment and intimidation by authorities. "Women are being detained, intimidated and subjected to psychological abuse, yet no one is listening," the resident said.

Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has progressively increased restrictions on women and girls. These include bans on secondary and university education, limitations on employment, and stricter regulations on their appearance and public movement. Herat, historically considered a culturally vibrant city, has seen significant changes under these policies.

A March report from the UN Human Rights arm highlighted a severe worsening of conditions for Afghans, particularly women and girls. UN Human Rights chief Volker Türk stated that the Taliban's edicts and laws have had a "crushing impact" on the population. Women are barred from education beyond primary school, with a ban on higher education in place since December 2022. Medical graduation exams have been held without female participation for two consecutive years following a ban on women in medical institutes.

Women found not complying with chador requirements have been denied access to public transport, markets, and services. Additionally, a new law requires girls to wait until puberty for marriage considerations and mandates mediation for women seeking to escape abusive marriages.

"The authorities have, in effect, criminalised the presence of women and girls in public life," Mr. Türk said, adding that discrimination affects their healthcare, civic participation, and freedom of movement and expression. He concluded that "Afghanistan is a graveyard for human rights."