Afghan migrants protested Taliban's detention of women and girls in Herat and the harsh crackdown on protesters in various cities across Germany and Spain.
Demonstrations held in Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Nuremberg, and Madrid saw participants defending women's right to dress freely and the right to peaceful protest. These actions were organized in response to the oppression occurring in Herat.
Emphasis on Women's Freedom in Hamburg
At the gathering in Hamburg, Afghan migrants criticized the detention of women and girls solely based on their style of dress. Participants expressed their support for the people of Herat's right to peaceful dissent.
Famous singer Ferhad Derya, speaking at the event, stated that Afghan women deserve respect, freedom, and a fearless life. He noted that detaining women because of their clothing creates fear within society.
Derya also highlighted that a society where a mother anxiously awaits her daughter's return when she leaves the house is unacceptable. He conveyed the message that excluding half of society means excluding the future as well.
Rising Protests in Düsseldorf and Nuremberg
At the protest in Düsseldorf, former Higher Education Minister Abbas Basir said the demonstration was held to support Afghan women and amplify their voices globally. Basir described the situation under Taliban rule as a clear violation of Afghan women's dignity and honor.
He warned that if the current oppression continues, it could lead to a difficult-to-manage social explosion. Participants in Nuremberg chanted slogans supporting women and expressed hope that one day women would overcome the Taliban.
Oppression Portrayed on Stage in Madrid
In Madrid, the capital of Spain, Afghan migrants gathered to support women. The event aimed to call on the international community to stand with Afghan women.
A performance at the event depicted how women in Herat are forced to stay at home and face humiliation, violence, and detention if they go outside. It was shown that even women who are not accompanied by a male relative and wear the Taliban-mandated veil are punished.
Protests Spread Across Europe
Protests supporting women were also held the previous day in Berlin, Toronto, and Tehran. These demonstrations indicate that reactions to the suppression of civil resistance in Herat are spreading within the Afghan diaspora.
The report noted that the Taliban's enforcement of strict dress codes in Herat has created widespread fear in the country. Dozens of women have been detained in the city over the past three days, and the public has taken to the streets twice within a week to protest.
The report also mentioned that these protests have been suppressed each time by Taliban forces opening fire. It emphasized that heavy restrictions on media and public spaces in Afghanistan have made access to independent information difficult.
