The World Liberty Congress has condemned the detention of women in Herat and the violent treatment of protesters, describing the actions as part of the Taliban’s broader policy of suppressing women and dissent.
The organisation called on the international community to take action to secure the release of those detained and to hold the Taliban accountable.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 10, the Congress said no woman should be arrested, humiliated or imprisoned because of her appearance. The statement also stressed citizens’ right to hold peaceful demonstrations.
The World Liberty Congress said the repression of women, journalists and human rights defenders in Afghanistan reflects the Taliban’s disregard for human rights and constitutes gender apartheid.
The organisation also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all women detained in Herat and elsewhere in Afghanistan, as well as the release of all imprisoned journalists, human rights defenders and civil society activists.
The Congress further urged an immediate end to violence, intimidation and arbitrary arrests in Afghanistan.
It also called for greater international efforts to recognise gender apartheid as a crime under international law and reaffirmed its solidarity with the women of Afghanistan.
