Security forces in Herat fire on women's rights demonstration – one teenager killed

Eyewitnesses reported that the protests broke out when the vice squad attempted to detain several women. The women had been arrested by the vice police for not wearing a full-body veil. Two witnesses told AFP reporters that they had seen security forces use firearms against men at the demonstration. One witness also confirmed that the security forces had used sticks and whips.

A spokesman for the Herat police, by contrast, stated that the gathering in the Jebrail area had "created tensions" and disrupted public order. Police spokesman Saed Masud told the AFP news agency that the police denied the use of weapons. The demonstrators had "stoked tensions under the pretext of taking to the streets against regulations enforcing the dress code." The situation had been brought fully under control.

Police reject allegations

The head of the vice police in Herat, Sheikh Azizur Rahman al-Muhajir, rejected reports of arrests for violations of the veiling requirement. His inspectors had merely provided guidance and raised awareness of the Islamic hijab, the state news agency Bakhtar quoted him as saying. The vice police rule states: "If even a part of the hair on the forehead, the sides, or the back of the head is visible, this is considered a violation of Islamic dress regulations."

Vice police tighten clothing regulations

The regional representation of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice announced that violations of clothing rules could lead to arrest and detention. On Wednesday, the vice police also announced new regulations on women's appearance that prohibited them from showing bare feet or wearing makeup. The ministry in Kabul declined to comment to AFP.

UN and international criticism

There were numerous arrests. Among them were dozens of women and girls, it was said. At the beginning of the week, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had expressed its concern about reports that women in the west of the country had been arrested for alleged violations of clothing regulations. The shooting by security forces had taken place on Tuesday; the UN mission reported on it on Wednesday.

Since the radical Islamist Taliban seized power in 2021, the rights of women in Afghanistan have been increasingly restricted. Since their seizure of power in 2021, the Taliban have massively restricted the rights of women and girls. This affects access to education, work, and sport, among other things, and has drawn sharp international criticism.

The Taliban for their part say they respect the rights of women in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law. Protests are relatively rare in the face of harsh sanctions. This report was broadcast on 11.06.2026 on Deutschlandfunk.