HERAT: Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have further intensified restrictions on residents in Herat Province, according to a report published by The New York Times, citing local accounts and human rights organizations.
The report says the enforcement of the Taliban’s social regulations has accelerated following directives attributed to the group’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.
According to the newspaper, Taliban authorities in Herat have been detaining women over alleged violations of dress code regulations and men over beard-related requirements.
The report adds that growing fear of enforcement measures has led many women to significantly reduce the amount of time they spend outside their homes.
According to the report, at least 30 women were detained within two days for allegedly violating dress regulations.
Local human rights organizations cited in the report claim that the total number of women detained in Herat has exceeded 200, although these figures have not been independently verified.
The report also says the Taliban’s policies are affecting girls’ education, with some parents reportedly keeping their daughters out of school because of concerns over the prevailing environment and restrictions.
In addition, The New York Times reports that during Ashura, Taliban authorities imposed restrictions on religious processions and ceremonies organized by the country’s Shia community.
The report further states that members of Afghanistan’s Shia minority continue to have limited representation in government institutions.
The Taliban administration has not publicly responded to the specific claims outlined in the report. Independent verification of the reported arrests and figures remains limited due to restricted access and the operating environment in Afghanistan.
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