Taliban in Herat Arrest About 20 Employees of International Organizations for Having Short Beards

Taliban forces operating in Herat have taken into custody approximately twenty employees of international organizations. The reason given for the arrests centers on the length of the employees' beards. Staff from the International Organization for Migration, the World Health Organization, and multiple United Nations agencies are reported to be among those affected by the operation.

The individuals were informed during the process that the goal was to make them Muslim. Officials stated that the employees did not look like real Muslims due to their short beards. The group was held for a period exceeding twenty-four hours following the detentions.

Breakdowns of the detainees show that five came from the International Organization for Migration and four from the Afghan Health and Development Organization. Additional staff members from RSDO, PRAA, and SI were also included in the arrests. This represents a notable number of personnel from aid and health related groups active in the region.

Mullah Sabghatullah has been identified as a Taliban member involved in previous instances of harassing and humiliating employees of the United Nations and other international organizations in Herat. A similar set of arrests took place two months earlier. In that case the individuals were released after only one hour in detention.

The longer period of detention in the recent event has raised questions about compliance with international agreements. Afghanistan has been a party to the UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities since nineteen forty-seven. The convention provides certain protections for staff of international bodies.