Taliban: "No travel over 72 km without male relative... Refusal of ride if hijab not worn"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] The Taliban, the ruling power in Afghanistan, announced on the 26th (local time) regulations prohibiting women from traveling long distances without being accompanied by a 'close male relative.' They also demanded that women not wearing hijabs be refused rides. International human rights organizations immediately condemned this as "taking women hostage."

According to major foreign media including AFP, the 'Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,' an organization enforcing an extreme interpretation of Islamic law, released new guidelines with these contents on the same day. Spokesperson Sadeq Akif Muhajir explained, "Women traveling more than 72 km (45 miles) must not be allowed to ride in vehicles unless accompanied by close family members," adding, "This family member must be a 'close male relative.'"

The Taliban also issued guidelines to refuse rides to women who do not wear hijabs when seeking transportation. The new guidelines also include a provision prohibiting people from playing music inside vehicles.

These guidelines came just weeks after the Taliban requested Afghan TV channels to stop airing dramas featuring female actors. Unlike their first rule in the 1990s, when women's rights to education and employment were thoroughly stripped away, the Taliban had taken a conciliatory stance claiming they would guarantee the expansion of rights. However, recently, they have been tightening regulations on women even further.

Heather Barr, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch, strongly criticized in an interview with AFP, saying, "Essentially, they are moving toward taking women hostage," and added, "They have prevented women from freely moving, traveling, conducting business, or even escaping when facing domestic violence."

AFP reported, "During the 1990s when the Taliban seized power, women's rights were severely curtailed," and added, "Afghanistan is facing a poverty crisis this winter, and major aid organizations are demanding 'respect for women's rights.'" Major foreign media outlets reported that the Taliban's new guidelines are expected to provoke backlash from Western countries.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.