UK Representative Calls Taliban’s Penal Code a Violation of Citizens’ Rights
The British representative for Afghanistan has criticized the Taliban’s penal code, stating that peace and justice in Afghanistan cannot be achieved without respecting the rights of all citizens, and that this document is drafted in contradiction to that principle.
Richard Lindsey emphasized that the provisions of this penal code show that the Taliban administration has established laws that systematically discriminate against women, religious minorities, and individuals who defy imposed norms. He added that such an approach not only fails to ensure justice but also creates conditions for increased injustice and social dissatisfaction.
The Taliban leadership recently ratified this penal code, a move that has sparked widespread political and legal reactions, with various groups describing its implications as worrisome. Critics have warned that the implementation of this document could impose further restrictions and pressures on society.
According to the published content, the penal code limits violence against women and children to only severe physical violence, while other forms of violence, including psychological and sexual abuse, are not explicitly prohibited. Additionally, followers of Islamic sects other than Hanafi are labeled as “innovators,” and concepts such as social stratification and slavery are legitimized.
In response to the criticisms, the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice stated that opposing the administration’s laws is considered a criminal offense under Islamic law and that protesters will be prosecuted. The ministry claimed that the Taliban’s legislative documents are based on the Quran, Sunnah, and Hanafi jurisprudential sources, and that opposition to them is regarded as objection to Sharia. This stance has heightened concerns about the suppression of freedom of expression and fundamental citizens’ rights.
