Some Afghans living in Canada and Germany took to the streets to support women and protesters in Herat. The demonstrations protested the Taliban's repression against women and protesters.
The action in Canada took place yesterday in Toronto. Participants held a march and a joint press statement in front of the University of Toronto and Queen's Park.
The demonstrators called on the international community, especially the Canadian government, to stand with the women and girls in Afghanistan. They demanded condemnation of the Taliban's actions against women and protesters in Herat.
At the protest in Toronto, the release of women and girls reportedly detained by the Taliban was demanded. Participants also strongly criticized the repression of protesters in central Herat.
The activists chanted slogans such as "education, work, freedom" and "freedom for Afghanistan." Some participants also sent the message "No to the Taliban."
The demonstrators described the Taliban's restrictions on women as gender-based discrimination and called for international recognition of this. They also criticized some countries for engaging with the Taliban, arguing that this grants the group political legitimacy.
In Berlin, Germany, Afghan activists, human rights defenders, women's rights advocates, journalists, and members of immigrant communities gathered in front of the Afghan Embassy. Participants said they were there to raise the voices of women and girls deprived of education, work, freedom of expression, and social participation.
The slogan "education, work, freedom" was also prominent at the Berlin protest. Demonstrators demanded the protection of fundamental rights for women and girls.
Participants criticized the German government and the European Union for their contacts with the Taliban. They argued that hosting Taliban delegations provides political legitimacy and paves the way for new restrictions on women.
Activists in Berlin also condemned the detention of women and girls in Herat and the repression of protesters. They emphasized Afghanistan's need for justice, freedom, and global solidarity.
In Iran, some women protested yesterday in front of the Taliban representation in Tehran in support of women and protesters in Herat. However, another planned protest by Afghan migrants in Mashhad was dispersed by Iranian security forces.
It was reported that the authorities did not allow the demonstration, citing the requirement of permission from the Foreigners' Department of Khorasan Razavi province.
