The law, to “promote virtue and prevent vice,” controls every aspect of Afghan life, from dress to social interactions, including the style and length of men’s beards, bans on homosexuality, animal fighting, music in public places, and holidays other than those in the Muslim religious calendar. Women must also be fully covered and not raise their voices in public.
The day we wish we didn’t need to put on the calendar anymore
In a statement, the High Commissioner denounced the fact that “women are completely erased in public” and that “their voices are silenced”. The Taliban deprive them of their “individual autonomy”, reducing women “to faceless and voiceless beings”.
Afghanistan is thus violating its obligations under international human rights law, according to Volker Türk. “We call on the de facto authorities to immediately repeal this legislation,” he added.
On Monday, the European Union also expressed dismay at the adoption of this law. “It takes away from Afghan women the fundamental right to freedom of expression,” denounced the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borell.
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