In separate protests in Afghanistan and Germany, Afghan women’s rights activists have called for the release of two detained activists, Neda Parwani and Zholya Parsi, who were arrested last month under unknown circumstances.
The arrests prompted criticism from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for a series of “arbitrary arrests and detentions” by the Taliban. The protesters in Afghanistan demanded their release and urged the international community to recognize the Taliban’s policies toward women as gender apartheid.
The Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law has led to restrictions on women’s education, employment, and public life since they came to power following the U.S.-led troop withdrawal in 2021.
The Afghan women activists in Takhar expressed concerns about the detained activists’ access to healthcare and legal services, especially Zholya Parsi, whose location of detention is unknown. In Germany, Tamana Zaryab Paryani and other activists entered the 17th day of a hunger strike in Cologne, calling for the release of Afghan activists and requesting international recognition of the Taliban’s policies as gender apartheid.
These protests reflect the ongoing detention of women’s rights activists, human rights campaigners, academics, and journalists by the Taliban. UNAMA has expressed concern over these arrests and detentions, emphasizing that they contravene Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations.
The actions of these women highlight their determination to advocate for the release of detained activists and draw attention to the ongoing challenges faced by women in Afghanistan.
As Afghan women’s rights activists continue to face harassment and threats from the Taliban, their demands for the release of detained activists and international recognition of the Taliban’s gender apartheid policies shed light on the importance of protecting women’s rights and freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
The continued support of international organizations and the global community is vital in ensuring the safety and well-being of Afghan women and promoting gender equality in the country.
