Former professor at Kabul University, Mahmoud Marhoon, has strongly reacted to recent events in Herat province, the detention of women, and the violent treatment of protesters, describing these actions as being in contradiction with religious, national, and human values.
In his statement, Marhoon said that what is being carried out by the Taliban in the form of detaining women and suppressing demonstrators is neither consistent with Islam, nor with the principles of Pashtunwali, nor with the values of Afghan identity. According to him, these actions reflect what he describes as a “distorted and extremist form of Talibanism.”
Referring to recent developments in Herat, he stated that the province is once again witnessing serious political and social tensions, and that the harsh response to peaceful civic protests revives memories of historical uprisings against oppression. He emphasized that instances of contradiction with the people’s Afghan values have been increasing in the province.
Marhoon strongly condemned the methods used to suppress protests, stating that the use of force against the voice of the people constitutes a clear violation of human rights.
Drawing on historical experience, he noted that every authoritarian system, even if it temporarily manages to maintain control through coercion, cannot endure in the long term. According to him, tyranny is always temporary, and ultimately the will of the people prevails, as nations cannot be defeated by compulsion.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
