By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The United Nations expressed concern regarding the Taliban’s recent arrests of Afghan women and girls in Kabul for alleged violations of the dress code, specifically relating to the hijab. This follows a May 2022 decree mandating women to cover themselves, with restrictions enforced by the Taliban government since regaining power in 2021. The U.N. mission has called for the rescinding of policies that restrict women’s rights and freedoms. The Taliban’s actions, which have included previous arrests for “bad hijab”, have led to international scrutiny and calls for the restoration of women’s rights.
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UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations, that’s where we’re at, and it’s hard to know where to even begin, honestly. You get the sense that the UN is expressing a level of “concern” that’s somewhere between a polite cough and a full-blown alarm. It’s akin to the “check engine light” coming on in a car, you know something’s wrong, but the urgency level is…well, it’s not exactly a screeching siren.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations isn’t a surprise to anyone following the situation. The UN has issued a statement, essentially saying, “Dear Mr. Taliban, please let the Afghan women and girls wear whatever they like, or we’ll be very, very concerned.” And let’s be honest, the UN isn’t exactly known for its ability to *make* people do things. It’s a diplomatic forum, a place for discussion, and sometimes, a platform for strongly-worded letters. The sentiment of the UN is, that an oppressive totalitarian regime is, you know, oppressive and totalitarian.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations, and you get the feeling that this is all very familiar. You have a sense of déjà vu, like hearing the same lines, over and over again. It’s reminiscent of the UN’s condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, followed by a veto. And again. The UN often seems to exist in a state of perpetual “concern,” issuing statements and hoping for the best.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations, and it’s clear the UN has its limitations. Some people feel that the UN often seems ineffective, like they can’t really *do* anything concrete. Their budget isn’t massive, they don’t have their own army, and ultimately, they’re at the mercy of their members. The UN is often criticized for issuing generalized condemnations, seemingly without considering the practical steps that can be taken.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations and the discussion quickly turns to the question of what the UN *can* do. Sanctions are often brought up. But then, of course, if you start sanctioning every country with human rights abuses, you’d be sanctioning most of the world. And there’s the inevitable question of enforcement. Who’s going to make sure these sanctions are followed?
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations and the frustration mounts. You can sense it; there’s a feeling that the West was in Afghanistan for twenty years, and now, here we are again. There’s talk about what *could* have been done, like training and arming Afghan women and girls. But the reality is, the situation is complex, and there are no easy answers.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations, and it’s important to acknowledge the limitations of the UN. It’s a diplomatic forum, a place where nations can meet and discuss issues. It’s not a world government or a world police force. It’s a place for conversation and, sometimes, for issuing strongly worded letters. It’s designed to foster collaboration, but it can’t force change.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations, and you see the tension between idealism and pragmatism. Some feel that the UN’s statements are like the “check engine light” – a sign that something’s wrong. But that’s about all. It’s a reflection of the international community’s values, but the UN alone isn’t equipped to change behavior. The problem is that the world is far from unified.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations and you can read the letter from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The tone is respectful, with an understanding of cultural traditions, but very direct in expressing concern over restrictions on women and girls. The UN’s message is clear: women and girls have the right to choose their own clothing.
UN concerned by Taliban’s arrest of Afghan women and girls for dress code violations, and it comes down to acknowledging what’s possible. Many people don’t expect much. The UN can’t single-handedly solve problems, but it does serve a purpose. It’s a platform for diplomatic discussion, a place to highlight important issues, and a means to try and promote the best outcomes possible.