The first crackdown on dress code by the Taliban since them regaining power has led to the arrest of women deemed to be wearing a “bad hijab.” According to voice notes from Abdul Ghafar Farooq, a spokesperson for the Taliban government’s Vice and Virtue Ministry, provided to the Associated Press, the ministry has received complaints about women not adhering to the appropriate hijab. He stated that after issuing advice, female officers were sent out to arrest those who failed to comply.
Farooq further details that the women who violate the dress code are considered a minority who go against Islamic values and foster inappropriate hijab use in society. It appears that these arrested women may face legal action or strict bail conditions. Although the exact number of arrests and the clear definition of a “bad hijab” were not stated by Farooq, he did highlight that women without a hijab will be subject to arrest across every province.
The UN’s Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has aired his views on the matter. He expressed concern over the situation, commenting that the recent arrests signify a further restriction on women’s freedom of expression and undermine their rights. He urged for the immediate and unconditional release of these women.
Further regulation was introduced via a Taliban decree in May 2022 that mandated the observance of religious hijab for adult Muslim women, requiring them to embrace garments that conform to Sharia and Afghan traditions. The enforcement of hijab observance is premised on persuasion through media and public platforms, along with punitive measures for offenses.
Back in September, Human Rights Watch reported instances of gender persecution by the Taliban in Afghanistan. After its research into the situation post-Taliban takeover, HRW noted various forms of gender persecution, which included restrictions on freedom of movement, association, and expression, employment limitations, dress code restrictions, education bans, arbitrary arrests, and violation of the right to liberty.
It is against this backdrop that the recent arrests have taken place, signaling a new level of dress code scrutiny by the Taliban. More updates can be expected on the conditions and actions towards these women and the evolving legal landscape of Afghanistan under the Taliban rule.
For more details, refer to the original report here.