Newsman: In a rare protest in Kabul about two dozen women marched down a main street of Kabul on Saturday chanting “bread, work, freedom,” “we want political participation” and “no to enslavement.”
Taliban security forces opened fire over the heads of women who staged a violent crackdown just two days ahead of the one-year anniversary of the group sweeping to power in Afghanistan. They opened fire in the air above the protesters, quickly dispersing them. Taliban security forces have used live fire to disperse protests in the past..
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Taliban security forces also grabbed the phones and cameras of Afghan journalists and male international correspondents. They grabbed the phone of a boy on a bicycle who tried to take a photo. Several reporters were detained, and at least three remain in custody.
The protesters unfurled a large banner announcing the anniversary of the Taliban’s resumption of power as a day of solidarity with Afghan women. They also demanded the international community step up to help them.
“It was important because it’s nearly the first anniversary of the Taliban rule and we wanted to say that we don’t consent to this government,” said one young woman who spoke to NPR after the protest. She requested anonymity so she couldn’t be identified by Taliban authorities.
“After a year of this government, there is no change in the situation. We are showing that we won’t stay silent,” she said. “It’s important to show the world that Afghans don’t accept this. We will stand against injustice.”
Meanwhile, sanctions have paralyzed the economy and plunged the country into a major humanitarian crisis with many Afghans going hungry. Major aid groups and human rights organizations have pleaded with the international community not to forget the plight of ordinary Afghans, and to allow commerce and trade to continue.
