Taliban: Security Forces Dismissed for 'No Beards'; We Destroyed 21,000 Musical Instruments

Taliban officials in Afghanistan announced on Tuesday, August 30, that over 280 security personnel were dismissed for not having beards, and in the past year, more than 13,000 individuals were detained for what they termed 'immoral actions.' The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice reported in its 'Annual Performance' report that about half of those detained were released after 24 hours, but did not provide information on their alleged crimes or gender. Mohibullah Makhles, an official from this ministry, stated in a press conference that the Taliban destroyed 21,328 musical instruments last year and prevented thousands of 'immoral' films from circulating online. The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, established in the seized buildings of the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Kabul after the Taliban regained power in 2021, has faced severe criticism from human rights organizations and the United Nations for imposing restrictions on women and curtailing freedom of expression. The UN mission in Afghanistan has reported instances where officials from this ministry have detained women for not adhering to 'Islamic dress.' The Taliban dismiss the allegations of detentions as 'baseless' and claim that these laws are their interpretations of Islamic law and Afghan customs. The UN report emphasized that the activities of this ministry have had a 'negative impact on citizens' enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms' in Afghanistan and have had a discriminatory and disproportionate effect on women. Through this ministry, the Taliban has banned women's beauty salons, restricted women from traveling more than 78 kilometers from their homes without a male 'guardian,' and barred girls above the sixth grade from education. Many women are also prohibited from working in government and private organizations, including UN-affiliated offices. The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice did not provide statistics on police actions regarding women's dress or their travel without a male guardian in its annual report but stated that they are working on a new plan to ensure compliance with Islamic dress laws. Makhles mentioned that the draft of the women's dress plan was developed and approved based on the 'guidelines' of the Taliban leader in Kandahar. The ministry had previously stated that women must cover their faces or wear a burqa, and enforcement would be carried out through 'encouragement' from male family members. Nazila Jamshidi: The situation of the people of Afghanistan under Taliban rule is extremely concerning. Lina Roozbeh's assessment of the current challenges facing the people of Afghanistan marks the third anniversary of the Taliban's return to power. A coalition of human rights organizations has called for an immediate review of the international response to the human rights crisis in Afghanistan. The Taliban celebrated the third anniversary of their return to power with a display of 'homemade explosive devices.' The Taliban announced efforts for 'prisoner exchanges' with the United States. A Taliban delegation was present in Qatar; women were the main absent group at the two-day Doha meeting.