In a recent appeal, United Nations experts called on the Taliban to halt the practice of public executions, urging for a moratorium on inhumane punishments, both capital and corporal. This came in response to the public executions conducted on April 11, which were announced by the de facto Supreme Court. Officials highlighted that these events took place in the provinces of Badghis, Nimroz, and Farah, sparking considerable international concern.
The UN experts admonished capital punishment as a violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life and human dignity. They emphasized that turning executions into public spectacles cannot be justified, even on religious grounds, as such acts normalize brutality and instill fear within communities. The experts maintained, “It normalizes brutality, desensitizes communities to violence, and creates a climate of fear and intimidation.” Further details about their statement can be found here.
Historically, international human rights bodies have rejected religious laws as justifications for corporal punishment. As early as 2006, the Committee on the Rights of the Child ruled against corporal punishment under religious pretenses, highlighting violations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture.
Corporal punishment in Afghanistan often involves flogging, documented to be as severe as 100 lashes per individual, a practice condemned by the UN for flouting international human rights standards. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan previously reported widespread floggings, noting over 60 people punished publicly in Sari Pul province in 2024. Such acts continue to undercut the access to justice in Taliban-controlled regions.
Aside from its approach to capital and corporal punishment, the Taliban regime faces criticism for burgeoning authoritarian governance and pervasive human rights violations. These include the systemic oppression of women and girls, an issue that has garnered continuous scrutiny from the UN and various rights organizations worldwide.
The ongoing human rights situation in Afghanistan presents a pressing concern, with the UN urging the Taliban to reconsider its stance to avert further deterioration of rights conditions, especially for women.