German Member of the European Parliament Hannah Neumann on Wednesday condemned the Taliban's arrest of women over alleged dress code violations and the group's violent response to protesters demanding their release, saying the events underscore that the Taliban "have not changed."
“Yesterday, Taliban arrested women over alleged dress code
violations. Today, Afghan protesters demanding their release are met with
brutal force. This is today's Afghanistan,” Neumann wrote on X. “Taliban have
not changed. Europe should stop acting as if they have. No legitimacy without
accountability. No normalisation without human rights. No political rewards for
repression.”
Her remarks came after Taliban forces reportedly opened fire
on protesters in western Afghanistan's Herat province, where demonstrations
broke out over the detention of dozens of women accused of violating the
Taliban's strict hijab rules.
According to local sources, the protest began in Injil
district of Herat after Taliban authorities detained dozens of women over
alleged breaches of the group's dress code regulations. Demonstrators took to
the streets to demand their release.
Taliban forces responded with force, opening fire on the
protesters, local sources said. At least one person was killed, three others
were wounded and 17 people were arrested during the crackdown.
The incident triggered widespread condemnation from
international human rights advocates, who denounced both the detention of women
and the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators.
The latest crackdown adds to growing concerns over the
Taliban's restrictions on women's rights since returning to power in August
2021. The group has imposed sweeping limits on women's education, employment
and participation in public life, while enforcing strict rules governing dress
and personal conduct.
Human rights organizations and the United Nations have
repeatedly criticized the Taliban's policies toward women and girls, arguing
that they amount to systematic discrimination and violate Afghanistan's
international obligations.
Neumann's comments also reflected broader concerns within
Europe over engagement with the Taliban government, with critics arguing that
diplomatic normalization should remain contingent on improvements in human
rights and accountability.
Taliban authorities did not immediately comment on the
reported casualties or arrests following the Herat protest.
