11 Jun 2026 - 15:32
The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Australia’s Interim Mission on Afghanistan expressed concern over developments in the western Afghan province of Herat, where Taliban authorities reportedly detained dozens of women earlier this week over alleged violations of the administration’s dress code.
“Deeply concerning developments in Herat,” the mission said in a statement posted on X. “We call on the Taliban to respect the fundamental rights of all Afghans and to rescind all edicts, policies and practices that oppress and erase Afghan women and girls.”
The statement came after reports that Taliban authorities detained women in Herat during an enforcement campaign targeting what officials described as breaches of the Taliban’s self-declared dress requirements.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said at least 30 women were arrested during the operation. UNAMA also reported that one boy was killed when Taliban forces used force against protesters who had gathered to oppose the detention of women.
Details surrounding the incidents remain unclear, and Taliban authorities have not publicly provided a comprehensive account of the arrests or the reported death.
The detentions have drawn renewed criticism from international observers and rights advocates, who say the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls continue to deepen nearly five years after the group returned to power.
Since taking control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have imposed a series of measures limiting women’s access to education, employment and public life. The policies have been widely condemned by the United Nations and foreign governments, which have repeatedly called on the Taliban to reverse restrictions on women and girls.
Australia’s statement adds to growing international concern over the latest developments in Herat and the broader erosion of women’s rights in Afghanistan.
