Shahrzad Akbar, the former chairperson of the Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan, has said that historical Herat is under the control of those who believe they can hold religion and people hostage. She criticized the Taliban, stating that this phase of oppression and authoritarian rule will come to an end and that their actions will not remain unaccountable.
On her X account, Shahrzad Akbar wrote in response to recent protests by women in Herat: “Brave women of Herat! In this dark era, you have kept the flame of hope alive and have become a symbol of resistance and dignity.”
Meanwhile, the human rights foundation “Rawadari” has expressed concern in its latest report over the increasing restrictions on women and residents of Herat, the Taliban’s stringent policies, and the expanding activities of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
According to the report, thousands of Afghans are arbitrarily detained, abused, and tortured by the Taliban each year. Rawadari stated that it documented at least 2,125 cases of arbitrary detention in 2025 alone.
The organization further added that in 2025, the level of human rights violations increased compared to the previous year, with targeted and unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, and degrading treatment rising significantly.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
