Taliban’s Protest Ban Sparks Outrage and Fear Among Afghans

With the new law imposed by the Taliban banning protests, Afghan men and women have voiced their concerns regarding the suppression of freedom of expression and increasing restrictions.

The Taliban Bans Protests in Afghanistan

Afghan women protesting against the new Taliban law that prohibits protests argue that this action restricts the last remaining avenues for expressing dissent. A woman from Badakhshan expressed her feelings of concern, stating, “When women are unable to protest freely, their voices are not silenced; instead, their identity and presence in society are disregarded.”

This law has drawn criticism not only from women but also from men. A man from Kabul, who wished to remain anonymous, remarked, “If all peaceful avenues for gathering and protesting are closed off, how can people express their demands?” He emphasized that dissent against decisions does not equate to creating insecurity and expressed hope that the authorities would heed the people’s demands.

Global Concerns Over Taliban Restrictions

Internationally, women’s rights activists have reacted to this development, stating that this law was effectively in place informally before being formalized. Julia Parsi, a women’s rights advocate, noted, “The prohibition of protests in Afghanistan is not new. In the past, if protests were not officially declared, they still faced violence and intimidation from authorities.”

Despite efforts to obtain comments from a Taliban spokesperson, these attempts were unsuccessful. The law was passed on August 31, 2023, and was signed by Hibatullah Akhunzada. This restriction comes amid a series of extensive actions taken by the Taliban against civil liberties, particularly women’s rights, since their return to power.

Suppression of Protests and Concerns from International Organizations

Over the past five years, many women’s protests in various cities have resulted in arrests, dispersions, and intimidation. With the approval of Article 50 of the “Police Law,” this restriction has been officially documented in a Taliban legal document. This law includes 53 articles and, in addition to prohibiting gatherings, grants further powers to the “police” regarding arrests and maintaining public order.

International organizations, including the United Nations and Amnesty International, have repeatedly expressed concerns over restrictions on freedom of expression and the suppression of protests, urging the Taliban to respect the fundamental rights of citizens, including the right to peaceful assembly.