Fatalities Reported in Herat Protest Over Hijab Enforcement

Mon Jun 15 2026 08:08:25 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In Herat, two people died when police dispersed a protest demanding women to wear the hijab. The clash highlights growing tensions under Taliban rule.

In early June, a demonstration in Herat led by Afghan women protesting the Taliban’s hijab enforcement resulted in fatalities, as police reportedly fired live rounds. Witnesses say the attackers used sticks, whips and firearms, with shots fired into the air. Medical staff confirmed at least two deaths and several injuries, while local police denied fatalities, citing a security operation. The incident follows a month‑long crackdown on women’s attire and has drawn criticism from UN human rights officials.

Herat protest brings fatalities

Police in the western Afghan city of Herat used live fire to disperse a rare protest demanding women to wear the mandatory hijab. Medics confirmed that two people were killed, though the exact cause was not specified. Multiple other participants were reported injured.

The demonstration unfolded after local authorities began arresting women accused of improperly wearing the hijab. Both men and women marched on the streets in defiance of the Taliban’s dress code enforcement.

Herat police denied any fatalities, admitting only that they moved to ensure public order. Witnesses, however, described the use of sticks, whips and firearms, noting shots were fired into the air.

One protester recalled seeing security forces strike the crowd and fire weapons at the protesters, while a photographer reported seeing many people wounded. Gunfire can be heard in videos circulating online, accompanied by women shouting “don’t beat us.”

Spokesperson Sayed Masoud Hosseini said the protest “acted in a manner that disturbed public order” and that the demonstrators had “created tension under the pretext of protesting hijab enforcement.”

Protesters reportedly chanted slogans such as “education, work, freedom,” hinting at broader demands for civil liberties.

UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the excessive use of force and called for accountability.

The incident comes after a month‑long crackdown on women’s attire, with reports of arrests and allegations of abuse. Former defiance efforts have largely been suppressed, with women warning of intimidation, beatings, jail, and threats of death by stoning.

Afghanistan — A woman on the streets of Herat on Monday – a day before the protest.

Protests against the Taliban, particularly by women, remain rare since the group’s return to power in August 2021. The compulsory hijab rule, introduced in May 2022, has intensified tensions, with reports of markets being deserted and “morality police” inspecting vehicles for improper hijab usage.