text: [{"text_idx": "#000003", "text": "Rights groups slam \u2018cruel\u2019 Taliban ban on women in national park"}, {"text_idx": "#000004", "text": "Taliban authorities have imposed a strict interpretation of Islam, with women bearing the brunt. (AFP pic)"}, {"text_idx": "#000005", "text": "KABUL: Rights monitors condemned today a ban on women visiting one of Afghanistan\u2019s most popular national parks, the latest curb shutting women out of public life under Taliban government rule."}, {"text_idx": "#000006", "text": "The Taliban government\u2019s morality ministry closed the Band-e-Amir national park to women at the weekend, claiming female visitors were failing to cover up with proper Islamic dress."}, {"text_idx": "#000007", "text": "The park, a Unesco world heritage site 175km west of Kabul, is renowned for its striking blue lakes surrounded by sweeping cliffs."}, {"text_idx": "#000008", "text": "The Bamyan province park is a hugely popular spot for domestic tourism and is regularly swarmed with Afghans relaxing at the shore or paddling the waters in rented boats."}, {"text_idx": "#000009", "text": "Human Rights Watch\u2019s associate women\u2019s rights director Heather Barr told AFP the decision to ban women was \u201ccruel in a very intentional way\u201d."}, {"text_idx": "#000010", "text": "\u201cNot content with depriving girls and women of education, employment and free movement, the Taliban also want to take from them parks and sport and now even nature,\u201d she said in a separate statement."}, {"text_idx": "#000011", "text": "\u201cStep-by-step the walls are closing in on women as every home becomes a prison,\u201d she said."}, {"text_idx": "#000012", "text": "The minister for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice Mohammad Khalid Hanafi justified the ban on Saturday on the grounds women were failing to wear hijabs properly."}, {"text_idx": "#000013", "text": "\u201cWe must to take action from today. We must prevent the non-observance of hijab,\u201d he said during a visit to Bamyan province."}, {"text_idx": "#000014", "text": "Ministry spokesman Akef Muhajir told AFP local religious leaders requested the temporary closure because women from outside the province were not observing the hijab dress code."}, {"text_idx": "#000015", "text": "Other national parks in Afghanistan remain open to all, he said."}, {"text_idx": "#000016", "text": "Since returning to power in August 2021, Taliban authorities have imposed a strict interpretation of Islam, with women bearing the brunt of laws the UN has labelled \u201cgender apartheid\u201d."}, {"text_idx": "#000017", "text": "United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett asked on the social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, yesterday \u201cwhy this restriction... is necessary to comply with Sharia and Afghan culture?\u201d"}, {"text_idx": "#000018", "text": "Women have been barred from visiting parks, fairs and gyms, and must cover up in public since the Taliban authorities returned to power two years ago."}, {"text_idx": "#000019", "text": "They have also mostly been blocked from working for UN agencies or NGOs, with thousands sacked from government jobs or paid to stay at home."}, {"text_idx": "#000022", "text": "Taliban appoints Chinese envoy in first since takeover"}, {"text_idx": "#000023", "text": "18 Putrajaya roads closed for National Day rehearsals \u2013 100k people expected to attend August 31 parade"}, {"text_idx": "#000024", "text": "\u2018Cruel, calculated\u2019 baby-killer sentenced to life in prison"}, {"text_idx": "#000025", "text": "Russia says BRICS summit to discuss group\u2019s expansion"}, {"text_idx": "#000027", "text": "Doctors\u2019 groups slam ministry for \u2018inaccurate\u2019 on-call allowance remarks"}, {"text_idx": "#000030", "text": "Japan wants 30% directors at top firms to be women"}, {"text_idx": "#000032", "text": "Taliban say ban on women working for UN \u2018internal social matter\u2019"}]