Human Rights Watch Condemns Taliban's 'Ruthless' Ban on Protests

Human Rights Watch has strongly condemned the Taliban government's latest move to ban all demonstrations across Afghanistan, labeling it a "ruthless effort to suppress all dissent." The criticism follows the publication of an 84-page police law by the justice ministry, which explicitly outlaws "all types of protests."

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another step in the Taliban’s ruthless effort to suppress all dissent

Elaine Pearson, Asia director for Human Rights Watch, stated that the measure signifies another step in the Taliban's campaign to stifle opposition. "The Taliban authorities fear any dissent and so they are escalating their repression," Pearson said in a statement. This move intensifies concerns about the erosion of fundamental freedoms under the current administration.

The Afghan government has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the protest ban, which was made public this month. Demonstrations have been infrequent since the Taliban returned to power five years ago. In June, UN experts reported that at least two people were killed when security forces allegedly fired upon a women's rights protest in Herat.

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The Taliban authorities fear any dissent and so they are escalating their repression.

Amnesty International also weighed in, describing the new police law as "another sweeping assault on human rights in Afghanistan." The organization highlighted the protest ban as one of the most egregious provisions within the legislation, underscoring the severe restrictions on civil liberties.

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another sweeping assault on human rights in Afghanistan