The extremely religious Taliban in Afghanistan are tightening their grip on the population. An increasing number of people are being arrested under the "moral laws" introduced by the regime in Kabul last August.
Then, shaving, music, and various celebrations were banned. The prohibition on women singing or raising their voices outside the home - or showing their faces in public - received the most attention and criticism.
Women are being hardest hit by the moral laws, but recently, an increasing number of men have also been deprived of their freedom, according to a report by the UN's Afghanistan mission Unama in a report. The men are being arrested mainly due to their appearance - for having the "wrong" hairstyle or beard length, according to the report. Even barbers who are believed to have given men the "wrong" haircut are being arrested.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, many men who skipped prayer are also said to have been arrested. Arrests are being made arbitrarily and without proper legal proceedings or legal protection, according to the UN.
More than 3,300 police officers have been tasked with informing the Afghan population about the moral laws and ensuring they are followed - and arresting those deemed to have committed crimes.
