Afghan Human Rights Defenders Protest at UN Office in Tehran in Support of Afghan Women

Today, a group of Afghan human rights defenders gathered in front of the United Nations office in Tehran in protest against the intensified repression of women in Afghanistan. This gathering was held in solidarity with protesting women, especially the women of Herat, and the protesters called for an end to the international community’s silence in the face of the Taliban’s gender apartheid.

During the protest, Iranian police forces pressured the protesters, confiscated the mobile phones of some activists, and deleted the recorded videos. Additional police forces were also called in to disperse the protesters. Eventually, the participants left the gathering site to avoid further escalation.

The protesters condemned the Taliban’s detention, torture, and shootings against women in Afghanistan and called on the United Nations and international organizations to end their silence and inaction regarding the widespread violations of Afghan women’s rights and to take practical and urgent measures to hold the Taliban accountable and support the women of Afghanistan.