The Taliban pepper sprayed a group of women protesting in Kabul on Sunday to demand the right to work and education, three protesters told AFP.
Since taking over the country by force in August, the Taliban have imposed creeping restrictions on Afghans, especially women. About 20 women gathered outside Kabul University, chanting “equality and justice” and carrying banners reading “Women’s rights, human rights”, an AFP correspondent reported.
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Taliban fighters then arrived at the scene in several vehicles and dispersed the gathering, three protesters told AFP. “When we were near Kabul University, three Taliban vehicles came, and the fighters from one of the vehicles used pepper spray on ussaid one protester, who asked not to be named for security reasons.
Schools still closed
“My right eye started burning. I said to one of them + shame on you +, then he pointed his gun at me”. Two other protesters said one of the women had to be taken to hospital after the gas caused an allergic reaction to her eyes and face. An AFP correspondent saw a Taliban confiscate the mobile phone of a man who was filming the demonstration.
The Islamist group has banned unauthorized demonstrations and frequently intervenes to forcibly disperse rallies demanding women’s rights. The Taliban authorities have also prevented public sector employees from returning to work, many secondary schools have still not reopened to girls and public universities are closed. Women also cannot travel far unless accompanied by a man.
The authorities also ordered television stations not to broadcast soap operas featuring women.