Photo credit: Reuters
Working women in Afghanistan must stay at home until proper systems are in place to ensure their safety, a Taliban spokesman has told reporters.
“It’s a very temporary procedure,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
The Taliban, which enforced a strict version of Islamic law when they ran Afghanistan before 2001, retook full control of the country nine days ago.
The UN has highlighted “credible” reports of abuses by the Taliban, notably restrictions on women.
UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday that women’s rights were a “fundamental red line”.
In his news conference in Kabul on Tuesday, the Taliban spokesman also addressed the US-led evacuation from the capital, Kabul.
- Afghans should not try to go to the airport, Mr Mujahid said, citing the chaotic situation there
- The US should stop “encouraging” them to leave as Afghanistan needs their talents, he added
- The UK, France and Germany have called for an extension to the 31 August deadline set by the US to leave Afghanistan
- However UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has admitted that President Joe Biden is unlikely to extend the deadline.
US troops control Kabul airport from where some 58,700 people have been evacuated so far. Mr Mujahid reaffirmed the Taliban’s position that the operation should end by 31 August.
