Taleban outlaw lipstick and nail varnish

The UN says women have been reduced to pariah status

Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement in Kabul has banned the import of a whole variety of items which it says are un-Islamic, including nail varnish, lipstick and neckties.

A total of 30 objects are prohibited with immediate effect and will no longer be cleared through customs houses, according to the Taleban-backed Radio Voice of Shari'ah (Islamic law).

Afghan music website

Local stringed musical instruments like the Tanbur, Robab and Sarang have also been outlawed.

The unique character of Afghan music, flourishing elsewhere, will be increasingly difficult to hear in Afghanistan itself. The only music permitted is Taleban songs.

Visual ban

In line with the early Taleban clampdown on TV sets, the decree bans many everyday imports which have a visual element.

Cinematic projectors and films have been blocked.

Other banned items include:

• written articles containing pictures of animals
• greetings cards
• Games: chess, playing cards and billiard tables

The Taleban, who came to power in Afghanistan in 1996, had already banned most photographs of people and animals.

A child's drawing shows TVs being shot at

The Taleban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar signed the official decree for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan's high body.

The law prevents the import of such items and allows the confiscation and disposal of offending objects.

Video recorders, TV aerials and playing cards were also seized during raids in Kabul last week. The offending items were burned and their owners were arrested.

Internet ban

A week ago Taleban officials tightened censorship in Afghanistan by seeking to control internet use - to stop access to what they called "obscene and immoral" content.

Web use in the country is minimal but is difficult to control because all telephone links are routed through neighbouring Pakistan.