We call on Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Germany not to give the Taliban any further opportunity and to file a case against the group before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Video: Maryam Sadat, member of the Purple Saturdays Movement

The neglect of the global community, the United Nations, and human rights organizations has led to around 50 young women being imprisoned by the Taliban in Kabul today. #Right_Justice_Freedom

Maryam Marof Arwin, a women’s rights activist, was living in Kabul when the 9/11 attacks took place. Denied access to formal education, she secretly attended an underground school and buried her textbooks to keep them hidden from the Taliban. More... oxus.tv/blog/afghanistan-202…

Purple Saturdays Movement:The Taliban’s gender apartheid and ban on women working in humanitarian organizations have deepened Afghanistan’s human rights crisis, severely worsening poverty, hunger, unemployment, malnutrition, insecurity, and the deprivation of essential healthcare

The Purple Saturdays Movement, an active women-led movement in Afghanistan, held protest gatherings today in Kabul, Takhar, Balkh, and Herat to mark August 15. Protesters burned images of Taliban leaders and officials during the demonstrations. #right_justice_freedom

The Taliban are detaining us on accusations of begging simply for wearing the chador. Maryam Arwin: The Taliban do not even tolerate women who comply with their own dress code. Their goal is clear: they do not want women to have any presence in society. f.mtr.cool/mlvckchjfw

We express our profound concern and unequivocal condemnation of the fourth consecutive administration of Afghanistan's National University Entrance Examination (Kankor) under conditions in which women and girls are categorically excluded solely on the basis of their gender. For the fourth consecutive year, the Taliban have prohibited women and girls from participating in the Kankor examination and from accessing higher education. This is not an isolated educational policy or an administrative decision. It is a deliberate and systematic campaign to erase women from education, public life, and the future of Afghanistan. By denying millions of women and girls the right to learn, compete, and contribute, the Taliban are dismantling the very foundations of justice, equality, and sustainable national development. A national university entrance examination derives its legitimacy only when it is conducted on the principles of equality, transparency, impartiality, academic integrity, and equal opportunity for all citizens. An examination that intentionally excludes half of a nation's population because of their gender cannot be regarded as a legitimate measure of academic merit, nor can it claim to reflect the intellectual capacity of the Afghan people. The Taliban's Kankor has ceased to function as an independent national academic assessment. The systematic exclusion of women, the absence of transparency in its administration, the lack of independent oversight over its procedures and results, and its operation under an unaccountable de facto authority have transformed the examination into a discriminatory and politicized instrument. Under these circumstances, it possesses neither educational credibility nor moral or legal legitimacy. The exclusion of women from the Kankor extends far beyond the denial of access to a competitive examination. It constitutes a grave violation of the fundamental rights to education, equality, and non-discrimination. It reinforces a broader institutional system of gender-based oppression that has deprived Afghan women and girls of their most basic human rights. The continuation of these policies has been widely recognized by United Nations experts, international human rights mechanisms, and legal scholars as amounting to an institutionalized system of **gender apartheid**. No education system built upon exclusion can produce justice. No examination administered under discriminatory policies can claim fairness. No nation can realize its full potential while systematically excluding half of its population from education and public life. The continued denial of educational opportunities to women not only destroys individual futures but also undermines Afghanistan's long-term social, economic, scientific, and democratic development. We call upon the United Nations, international human rights mechanisms, governments, academic institutions, universities, and the global community to reject the normalization of gender discrimination in Afghanistan. Silence in the face of systematic exclusion risks legitimizing one of the most severe assaults on the right to education in the contemporary world. Concrete legal, diplomatic, and political action is urgently needed to protect the fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls and to hold those responsible for these violations accountable. Until women and girls are able to exercise their equal right to education and to participate freely in the National University Entrance Examination, the Taliban's Kankor cannot be recognized as a credible, legitimate, or representative national examination. An examination that excludes half of society cannot represent the academic merit of a nation. **Education is a universal and inalienable human right. It cannot be suspended, restricted, or denied on the basis of gender. #Right_Justice_Freedo 🎬 : Hila Shinwari Member, Purple Saturdays Movement @UN @SR_Afghanistan @Europarl_EN @ICC @heatherbarr1 @antonioguterres

Women of Afghanistan, with full awareness of the severe security threats posed by the Taliban, including arrest, torture, and even the risk of killing, took to the streets in defense of human dignity and universal human rights, and with courage raised their voices for truth, justice, and freedom. In circumstances where the cost of protest is extremely high and dangerous for them, they stood up for their most basic human rights with empty hands and only a few sheets of paper, engaging in peaceful and civil demonstrations. These are rights that, in any society, should be fundamental, obvious, and non-negotiable. Women activists of Afghanistan expect the international community, particularly the European Union, to ensure that human rights, women’s rights, and justice are not sacrificed for political expediency or short-term pressures. They emphasize that legitimizing or making concessions to the Taliban without regard to the actual human rights situation severely damages the credibility of universal values and international institutions and undermines trust in these structures. The protesting women of Afghanistan further warn that normalizing relations with the Taliban will not only fail to improve the human rights situation for women in Afghanistan, but will also worsen it by strengthening the Taliban regime and its repressive structures, thereby posing broader security risks, particularly for Europe. The voice of these women is not merely a voice of protest; it is a clear warning about a future in which ignoring justice today will bring heavy and irreversible consequences tomorrow. #Rights_Justice_Freedom #NoToGenderApartheid @Europarl_EN @EU_Commission @EUCourtPress @EUinAfghanistan @EUCouncil @UN_Women @UNHumanRights @UN @antonioguterres @SR_Afghanistan @heatherbarr1

The Purple Saturdays Women's Movement, a group of women activists, described the detention of women in Herat by the Taliban under the pretext of "improper hijab" as a clear violation of human dignity, fundamental freedoms, and the women of Afghanistan's right to choose their clothing. The movement called for the immediate release of the women detained by the Taliban in Herat. The Purple Saturdays Women's Movement called on the international community, international human rights organizations, governments, and UNAMA to put pressure on the Taliban over their systematic discrimination against women and arbitrary detentions. The Purple Saturdays Movement consists of a group of women human rights activists. The movement has repeatedly criticized the Taliban's hardline policies against the women of Afghanistan. In their video message, members of the Purple Saturdays Movement called for the immediate release of the women detained by the Taliban in Herat. The activists said that the detention of women under the pretext of "improper hijab" is a clear violation of human dignity, fundamental freedoms, and the women of Afghanistan's right to choose their clothing. afintl.com/202606077661

The Purple Saturdays Movement has strongly condemned the Taliban’s arbitrary arrest of women in Herat on the charge of not wearing the group’s preferred chadari. They have also emphasized that “chadari is not part of the culture and identity of the people of Afghanistan.” They further stressed that the arrest of women on the pretext of “improper hijab” constitutes a clear violation of women of Afghanistan’s human dignity, fundamental freedoms, and their right to choose their own clothing. Read more.. 8am.media/fa/forced-veiling-…

Statement of the Purple Saturdays Movement on the Arbitrary Detention of Women in Herat Province The Purple Saturdays Movement strongly condemns the unlawful, widespread, and targeted detention of women in Herat Province and calls for the immediate, unconditional, and safe release of all women who have been arbitrarily detained. The detention of women in Herat, similar to previous arrests carried out in western Kabul and predominantly Tajik-populated areas, forms part of a systematic, discriminatory, repressive, and ideologically driven policy pursued by the Taliban. This practice constitutes a clear and grave violation of fundamental human rights and reflects the Taliban’s fear, insecurity, and inability to suppress the presence, awareness, resilience, and resistance of women of Afghanistan. Despite relentless restrictions, persecution, intimidation, and threats, women of Afghanistan continue to stand firmly against the Taliban’s anti-human, exclusionary, and oppressive policies. The arrests in Herat also represent a continuation of the Taliban’s strategy of political coercion and leverage against the international community. Through this approach, the Taliban have transformed women of Afghanistan and their fundamental rights and freedoms into instruments of political bargaining, concession-seeking, and international pressure. At the same time, they seek to reduce international scrutiny and accountability for their ongoing human rights violations. We emphasize that the Taliban-imposed dress code, including the mandatory chadari and other forms of enforced attire, is neither an authentic representation of the culture and identity of the people of Afghanistan nor consistent with the principles of dignity, justice, and personal choice recognized within Islamic values. The detention of women under the pretext of “improper hijab” constitutes a blatant violation of human dignity, fundamental freedoms, and the right of women of Afghanistan to choose their attire and exercise personal autonomy. Such conduct lacks any legal, moral, or religious justification. The mass detention of women in Herat, occurring alongside the alarming increase in mysterious killings of women across Afghanistan, raises serious concerns regarding the targeted nature of these abuses and the Taliban’s role in fostering and sustaining an environment of violence, fear, and impunity against women. These developments warrant urgent and independent international investigation. We call upon the international community, international human rights organizations, governments, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) not to remain silent in the face of this escalating crisis. These grave violations must not be normalized, ignored, or treated as routine developments. Instead, they should serve as grounds for increased international pressure, stronger accountability mechanisms, and coordinated action aimed at ending the Taliban’s systematic repression and arbitrary detention of women. Women of Afghanistan must not be abandoned. Their struggle for dignity, freedom, equality, and justice is a universal human rights cause that demands urgent international solidarity, meaningful accountability, and decisive action. #Right_Justice_Freedom Date: 7 June 2026 @UN @UNHumanRights @UN_Women @SR_Afghanistan @antonioguterres @SR_Afghanistan @Europarl_EN @heatherbarr1 @hrw @Europarl_EN @JuliaKloeckner @vonderleyen @faiq_naseer

The Women of Afghanistan: A Story of Courage in the Face of Oppression From the Streets to History: The Women of Afghanistan Standing for Rights, Justice, and Freedom The resistance of the women of Afghanistan continues as a living and enduring reality despite systemic repression, sweeping restrictions, and an increasingly hostile environment. This resistance is not merely an isolated reaction to recent events. It is a conscious, collective, and deeply rooted movement shaped by the historical experiences of generations of women across Afghanistan. Today, the women of Afghanistan face circumstances in which many of their fundamental rights, including access to education, employment, public life, and civic participation, have been severely restricted. Yet they have neither abandoned their demands nor retreated from advocating for their rights. Their resilience has given rise to a new form of civic resistance. This resistance manifests itself through silent acts of defiance, symbolic presence, and powerful voices raised against injustice. The slogan “Rights, Justice, Freedom” is far more than an emotional expression. It represents a clear political and human demand: the recognition of women's full humanity and the dismantling of all forms of institutionalized discrimination. Within this context, the women of Afghanistan continue to call for global solidarity, not merely in words but through meaningful action aimed at ending what many human rights advocates and experts describe as gender apartheid. Their appeal is a call for the international community to stand firmly on the side of justice, equality, and human dignity. Despite serious threats, intimidation, arbitrary detention, and the constant risk of retaliation, the women of Afghanistan continue to take to the streets. Their presence in public spaces is not a simple act. It is a deliberate and courageous decision made in an environment where every step may carry profound personal consequences. They march despite threats. They raise their voices despite intimidation. They write and chant “Rights, Justice, Freedom” and “Death to the Taliban,” knowing that such acts may place their liberty, safety, and even their lives at risk. Their courage reflects an unwavering commitment to human dignity and fundamental freedoms. The women of Afghanistan believe that equality and democracy are not abstract ideals. They must be reflected in laws, institutions, educational opportunities, and everyday life. The persistence of this resistance demonstrates that the aspiration for change remains alive and unwavering despite every attempt to suppress it. By writing and chanting “Rights, Justice, Freedom,” the women of Afghanistan affirm a fundamental truth: these are not privileges to be granted at the discretion of those in power. They are universal human rights that belong to every individual without discrimination. Their struggle is a testament to extraordinary courage and determination. Even in the face of grave danger, the women of Afghanistan continue to demand visibility, dignity, and equal rights. Their voices remind the world that the pursuit of freedom, justice, and human dignity cannot be permanently silenced, no matter how severe the repression or how high the cost. Their resistance is not only a struggle for women's rights. It is a struggle for the future of Afghanistan itself, a future founded on equality, democracy, justice, and respect for the inherent dignity of all human beings. #right_justice_freedom #حق_عدالت_آزادی #NoToGenderApartheid @UN @UN_Women @UNHumanRights @UN_HRC @antonioguterres @SR_Afghanistan @Europarl_EN @amnesty @hrw @IntlCrimCourt @vonderleyen @heatherbarr1 @unwomenchief

We welcome the European Parliament’s resolution calling for the expansion of sanctions against the Taliban. We regard the European Parliament’s responsible stance, which emphasizes intensified sanctions against the Taliban and reaffirms the policy of non-recognition and non-normalization of relations with this group, as a positive and meaningful step toward the protection of human rights, particularly the rights of women. At the same time, we strongly condemn the invitation extended by the European Commission to a Taliban delegation to visit Brussels. We consider this invitation a deeply concerning contradiction to the spirit and substance of the resolution, and we call for its immediate cancellation, especially in response to the so-called “Couples Separation Regulation,” which institutionalizes widespread discrimination and injustice against women and effectively legitimizes forced marriage and child marriage. We further emphasize that inviting the Taliban, at any level or under any pretext, amounts to appeasement of this group and risks contributing to the escalation and deepening of its crimes against humanity, the worsening human rights crisis, and the continued suffering of the people of Afghanistan, particularly women. We therefore call upon international human rights institutions and organizations, including UNICEF, UN Women, the United Nations, OHCHR, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, to take serious and concrete action against the Taliban’s inhumane policies and crimes, especially the “Couples Separation Regulation.” We urge these bodies to move beyond statements and condemnations by preparing official reports, documenting violations, pursuing legal accountability mechanisms, and launching a strong and coordinated international campaign against these abuses. Accordingly, we stress the urgent necessity of expanding targeted and systematic sanctions against the Taliban and its leadership. We call for the broader expansion of sanctions lists and comprehensive travel bans covering all officials responsible within this structure, as well as the acceleration and effective pursuit of arrest warrants against other Taliban leaders through international justice mechanisms. Such measures are critically necessary to ensure accountability for widespread and ongoing human rights violations and to end the cycle of impunity at the international level. #Right_Justice_Freedom Purple Saturdays Movement @UN @UNHumanRights @amnesty @hrw @UN_Women @Europarl_EN @UNICEF @SR_Afghanistan @heatherbarr1

The Taliban’s policies toward women reflect a systematic and structured approach aimed at excluding women from public life and restricting their access to education, employment, and social participation. This is not a set of isolated measures, but a coordinated system that enforces gender segregation and institutionalizes inequality. By framing these restrictions as cultural or moral necessity, an environment has been created in which discrimination is normalized and the visibility of human rights violations is significantly reduced. This process poses a serious threat to the fundamental principles of equality, human dignity, and justice. These actions constitute grave and continuous violations of international human rights obligations and can be understood as gender apartheid against Afghan women. The long-term consequences of such policies extend far beyond the present, deeply affecting the social, economic, and moral future of Afghan society. Sustained international attention and concrete action to protect women’s rights, restore equal opportunities, and ensure accountability for these systematic violations are an urgent necessity for Afghan society. International institutions, including the United Nations, human rights organizations, and states committed to human rights, must not remain silent in the face of appeasement policies or the normalization of engagement with the Taliban, while the group’s ongoing and expanding abuses continue. Justice and accountability for Taliban leaders is an essential and non-negotiable requirement. #right_justice_freedom #NoToGenderApartheid #AWCSWO @heatherbarr1 @SR_Afghanistan @UN_Women @UN @Europarl_EN @AFIntlBrk @HashteSubhDaily @Etilaatroz @Limportant_fr

We express deep concern that the Taliban, through the deliberate and instrumental use of religion, has established a systematic regime based on gender apartheid and structural violence against women. By strategically exploiting religion, this group justifies, normalizes, and aestheticizes gender apartheid and structural violence against women. The Taliban have transformed religion into an ideological tool for controlling women’s bodies, behavior, and social presence, thereby engaging in a broad process of semantic reengineering. In this process, discrimination, exclusion, and repression of women are not only justified but are also deliberately “aestheticized” and redefined as moral values and as legitimate and acceptable norms. The Taliban’s coherent policies aimed at normalizing and “aestheticizing” violence and the exclusion of women from public life have systematically weakened societal sensitivity. Consequently, clear violations of women’s human rights have gradually shifted from being perceived as “unacceptable” to being regarded as “normal” and “tolerable.” This process not only undermines the dignity of women but also erodes the moral and social foundations of society. We emphasize that the Taliban have systematically dismantled the principle of equality in Afghanistan. The organized exclusion of women from education, employment, and social participation is not a temporary policy; rather, it is part of a deliberate project aimed at redefining power structures, reproducing discrimination, and consolidating domination. These actions constitute a clear case of crimes against humanity and entail profound, long-term, and irreparable consequences for Afghan society. The continuation of this situation threatens not only the future of women but also the future of the entire society. We call on the international community, human rights institutions, and all responsible actors not to remain silent in the face of this process, and to take practical, effective, and enforceable measures to halt this systematic cycle of discrimination and violence—measures that are both preventive and ensure accountability for those responsible for these violations. #right_justice_freedom #NoToGenderApartheid #AWCSWO @UN @UN_Women @UNHumanRights @EUCourtPress @Europarl_EN @EU_Commission @antonioguterres @SR_Afghanistan @heatherbarr1