Hundreds of people, including children, have been arrested or detained by Afghanistan’s Taliban morality police over alleged violations of strict rules governing hairstyles, beard trimming, women’s clothing and other aspects of daily life.
According to a United Nations report released on Thursday, October 15, 2026, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented at least 443 arbitrary arrests and detentions between July and September 2026.
The report stated that the detentions were linked to alleged violations of the Taliban’s rules on women’s hijab, men’s beards and “Western” hairstyles, attendance at congregational prayers, and playing or listening to music.
In one reported incident, two barbers in Paktika province were detained for a month in August for allegedly trimming customers’ beards and giving them hairstyles considered Western by Taliban authorities.
The report also documented more than 50 cases in which women were arrested, detained or cautioned over alleged violations of dress requirements. Among the cases was that of a 13-year-old girl who was detained overnight over compliance with hijab rules before being released to her father the following day.
