Human Rights Watch slams ‘ruthless’ Taliban govt after ban on protest
KABUL: Human Rights Watch slammed on Thursday the “ruthless effort to suppress all dissent” by the Taliban government, after a new police law banned demonstrations across Afghanistan. The 84-page legislation published by the justice ministry outlines a series of changes to law enforcement nationwide, including the rule that “all types of protests are banned”. Elaine Pearson, Asia director for…
On Thursday, Human Rights Watch strongly condemned the Taliban government's "ruthless attempt to stifle all forms of dissent" following the enactment of a new police law that bans demonstrations throughout Afghanistan. The 84-page legislation, released by the justice ministry, details a series of changes to law enforcement across the country, including the provision that "all types of protests are prohibited".
Elaine Pearson, the Asia director for Human Rights Watch, characterized this move as "an additional step in the Taliban's relentless pursuit to quash any form of dissent". She added in a statement that "the Taliban authorities are frightened of any dissent and are consequently intensifying their repression". The Afghan government has not commented on the prohibition of protests, which was made public this month.
Demonstrations have been scarce during the Taliban's five-year rule. At least two individuals lost their lives in June when security forces reportedly opened fire on a women's rights protest in Herat, according to a group of UN experts. Amnesty International described the police law as "yet another sweeping attack on human rights in Afghanistan", with the ban on protests being "one of the most egregious provisions".
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