A group of UN experts has denounced a crackdown on women by the Taliban's morality police in the western Afghan city of Herat, resulting in at least two deaths and over 20 injuries. The protests were sparked by a ban on women exposing their feet in public or wearing makeup.
Dozens of women have been detained, including a female medical worker employed by Doctors Without Borders, who was held for two days and released after signing a commitment to wear clothing mandated by the morality police.
The UN experts have expressed concern over the allegations of arbitrary and unlawful detention, saying it penalizes the exercise of women's right to freedom of expression and protection from gender discrimination.
The crackdown has sparked strong condemnation from the international community, with MSF calling it 'outrageous' and highlighting the severe restrictions already faced by women in Afghanistan, including being barred from certain professions and pursuing education beyond the primary level.
