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fullscreenAfghan women’s freedom is further restricted. File photo from Kabul. Photo: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP/TT
UN human rights chief Volker Türk condemns the Taliban regime’s new law, which further restricts the rights of women in Afghanistan.
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, he expressed horror at the law, saying it was unprecedented and “outrageous”.
The new law, which was officially adopted in August, has even tighter detailed control of, among other things, women’s clothing. It prohibits women from leaving the home without covering their entire body and face – and stipulates that women should not leave the home except “out of necessity”.
Women are also not allowed to raise their voices outside the home, sing or read poetry aloud.
In the past, the Taliban regime has barred women from education beyond the sixth grade and limited their opportunities to pursue a profession.
The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan three years ago and have introduced a series of additional measures to restrict women’s freedom in the country.