Dozens of Afghan girls protested a magnificence salon ban Wednesday after the Taliban ordered their closure nationwide. Safety forces used fireplace hoses, tasers and shot their weapons into the air to interrupt up the protest.
The Taliban stated earlier this month they had been giving all salons in Afghanistan one month to wind down their companies and shut store, drawing concern from worldwide officers fearful in regards to the impression on feminine entrepreneurs. The Taliban say they’re outlawing salons allegedly as a result of they provide companies forbidden by Islam and trigger financial hardship for grooms’ households throughout marriage ceremony festivities.
The ruling got here from the Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada. It is the most recent curb on the rights and freedoms of Afghan girls and women, following edicts barring them from training, public areas and most types of employment.
In a uncommon signal of public opposition to Taliban orders, dozens of beauticians and make-up artists gathered within the capital Kabul to protest the ban.
“We’re right here for justice,” stated one protester who recognized herself as Farzana. “We wish work, food and freedom.”
The Taliban sprayed the ladies with water and shot their rifles into the air to disperse the protesters.
Farzana later stated the ladies had been going to the UN mission in Afghanistan, urging protesters to remain collectively.
One protester advised The Related Press the demonstration began at round 10 am within the Shar-e-Naw space of the capital. She didn’t wish to give her title for worry of reprisals.
“The aim of our demonstration was that they (the Taliban) ought to rethink and reverse the choice to shut magnificence salons as a result of that is about our lives,” she stated. “All of us, 50 to 60 girls, participated. Our slogan was work, bread and freedom.”
The protest continued into the early afternoon, when the Taliban arrived to interrupt up the gang, she stated. They used tasers on demonstrators.
“They put two or three of our buddies within the automotive and took them,” she stated.
No one from the Taliban-run authorities was instantly obtainable for remark in regards to the protest.
The UN mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, criticized the Taliban’s dispersal techniques.
“Stories of the forceful suppression of a peaceable protest by girls in opposition to the ban on magnificence salons – the most recent denial of girls’s rights in #Afghanistan – are deeply regarding,” it stated in a tweet. “Afghans have the fitting to specific views free from violence. De facto authorities should uphold this.”