The “cruel” Taliban ban women from accessing the Band-e-Amir National Park

2023-08-28 16:26:18

Several NGOs and institutions have denounced the prohibition imposed on Afghan women so that they cannot access the Band-e-Amir National Park, an important tourist destination and UNESCO World Heritage Site. The veto, according to the Taliban authorities, is due to the fact that the use of the hijab was not being respected in public spaces.

First modification: 08/28/2023 – 16:26

2 min

Several NGOs have harshly criticized this Monday the announcement made over the weekend by the Taliban to prohibit access to Afghan women to the Band-e-Amir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and tourist destination for its great lakes. in Bamiyan province.

The veto was made public over the weekend by the Minister for Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice over the weekend, arguing that the use of the hijab had not been respected in public spaces in the last two years.

“Not content with depriving girls and women of education, employment and freedom of movement, the Taliban also want to take away parks and sports, and now even nature,” said Heather Barr, deputy director for human rights. of women at Human Rights Watch.

Through a statement, she denounced that “step by step, the walls are closed for women, each house becomes a prison.”

The UN special envoy for human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, asked on Twitter: “Can anyone explain why this restriction on women going to Band-e-Amir is necessary to comply with ‘sharia? ‘ and Afghan culture?

Last year, the Taliban already announced a ban on women accessing public parks in Kabul. Initially, schedules had been established to prevent men and women from coinciding, but in the end the most radical measure was chosen, totally preventing their entry.

Also read The parks of Kabul, forbidden to women

Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have gradually curtailed the rights acquired by women, who currently cannot apply to teach in secondary schools or universities or work in the public service or for NGOs.

Afghan tourists at Ban-e-Amir Lake (Bamyan Province) in July 2022 (illustrative image). AFP – AHMAD SAHEL ARMAN

The Bamiyan Valley is one of the most important tourist destinations in Afghanistan. It was known for its giant Buddhas, destroyed by the Taliban in 2001, but also for a series of turquoise lakes that UNESCO included in its world heritage in 2003.