Full Breakdown
UNAMA Urges Taliban to Halt Arrests of Women Over Hijab Rule in Herat
6/9/2026, 12:26:29 AM
Arrests Over Hijab Enforcement in Herat
On 7 June 2026 UNAMA posted on X that dozens of women were detained in Herat after a Taliban directive required a “proper hijab.” Local media said at least 21 women and girls, including pregnant women, nurses and under-age girls, were taken into custody during raids in central Herat and the Jibrael district.
Context and Key Actors
Since seizing Kabul in August 2021 the Taliban have expanded a morality-police system, overseen by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, that enforces veiling, face covering and bans makeup. The rules have barred girls from secondary school, limited women’s employment and restricted public movement, making Afghanistan the only country where most girls cannot study beyond primary school. A UNICEF report in April warned the restrictions could cost the country 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030. The Taliban leadership maintains that its policies respect women’s rights according to its interpretation of Islamic law.
Official Statements
UNAMA said 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. The mission urged de-facto authorities to treat everyone equally. The Taliban did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment, but its communications reiterate that the dress-code reflects its Sharia interpretation and that women’s rights are respected under that framework.
Criticism & Opposition
Human-rights groups and UN agencies describe the arrests as “serious human-rights concerns” and argue that the cumulative restrictions amount to systematic discrimination that excludes women from education, work, justice and public life.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
UNAMA did not give an exact detainee count, while local media reported at least 21 arrests. The Taliban has offered no official comment on the specific detentions, leaving the full scope unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “UNAMA is concerned over multiple arrests and detentions of women in Herat... for alleged non-compliance with dress requirements, which raises serious human rights concerns,” — UNAMA, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
- “We remind 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,” — UNAMA
- “The Taliban says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its interpretation of Islamic law.” — Taliban spokesperson
- “Local sources told KabulNow that the Taliban morality police detained dozens of women and girls in Herat on Sunday during enforcement operations across multiple areas of the city, including central Herat and the Jibrael district.” — KabulNow report
Outlook
UNAMA has urged the Taliban to halt the arrests and guarantee freedom of movement and legal equality. International monitors may increase scrutiny of Afghanistan’s human-rights compliance, and further UN reports are expected to assess the impact of the dress-code enforcement on women’s public participation.
