Mohaqiq to Taliban: Violating people’s rights, dignity not the answer

Mohammad Mohaqiq, leader of the Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, has condemned the Taliban’s response to Tuesday’s protests in Herat, describing their actions against demonstrators as contrary to Islamic and humanitarian principles.

In a statement issued on behalf of his party, Mohaqiq said that “violating the dignity, rights and honor of the people” has never been, and will never be, a solution to Afghanistan’s problems.

He warned that such actions would only deepen the country’s crises, public discontent and social divisions.

“Such behavior broadens the scope of crises, dissatisfaction and social rifts,” he said.

Mohaqiq called on the Taliban to abandon what he described as violent and coercive measures and instead pursue approaches based on law, reason and respect for citizens’ rights and human dignity.

He urged the Taliban to create conditions for peace, stability and national unity through policies that respect the rights and dignity of all Afghans.

Referring to events in Herat, Mohaqiq said the situation had been made worse by what he described as the violent suppression of peaceful protesters.

“What has made this incident even more painful is the bloody crackdown on peaceful demonstrators in Herat yesterday,” he said. “As a result, a number of citizens were wounded or lost their lives.”

Residents of Herat took to the streets on Tuesday, June 9, to protest the detention of women and girls by Taliban over alleged violations of their dress code.

According to local sources, Taliban responded by opening fire on demonstrators. Sources told Amu TV that at least two people were killed and several others wounded.

The protest followed a wave of arrests in the city. Sources previously told Amu TV that Taliban morality police had detained at least 35 women from three areas of Herat in recent days for allegedly failing to comply with the Taliban’s prescribed dress requirements.

The arrests and the subsequent crackdown on protesters have drawn criticism from activists, political figures and international human rights advocates, who have expressed concern over the Taliban’s increasing restrictions on women and girls.