A protest in the Afghan city of Herat, which began after women were arrested for violating the hijab law, has ended in bloodshed. According to local sources, two people, including a child, were killed during the dispersal of the demonstration.
Witnesses said Taliban security forces opened fire on the protesters and called in special forces. Three more people were injured in the incident, and at least 13 were beaten and arrested. The UN special rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, condemned the excessive use of force against the protesters and called for those responsible to be held accountable. Taliban representatives, however, denied reports of the arrests of women, saying the events were related to explaining the Islamic dress code.
