Taliban plunges Afghanistan into un-Islamic nadir : Shared by Kul Gautam

Unbelievable cruelty against women & girls as Taliban plunges Afghanistan into a new nadir in the name of Islam, justifying enslavement of women. Yet little outrage from the leaders of @OIC_OCI & others professing respect for human rights. 

Yet little outrage from the leaders of Islamic countries and others professing respect for human rights. 

Hard to believe this is happening in the 21^st century. 

Kul

The Taliban's New Criminal Regulation Legalizes Slavery, Violence, and Repression of Women

Belquis Ahmadi

Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

January 30, 2026

Click here for the article

Summary

The Taliban's January 7, 2026 Criminal Procedural Regulations codifies an authoritarian system dividing Afghan society into "free" and "enslaved" persons and four social classes with punishment determined by status rather than conduct. 

The regulation authorizes husbands and "masters" to administer corporal punishment, empowers any Muslim to impose punishment for perceived sins, and criminalizes women leaving home without permission (three months imprisonment) while treating excessive wife-beating as a minor offense (15 days). 

Article 70 imposes five months imprisonment for animal cruelty—harsher than domestic violence penalties. Women accused of apostasy face life imprisonment with flogging every three days. The regulation criminalizes dissent, requires citizens to report "subversive" activity, and permits punishment without underlying criminal conduct. Human rights organizations warn the framework violates international law and may constitute crimes against humanity.

Quotes

"Article 4(5): The enforcement of ḥadd (fixed punishments prescribed under Sharia) punishments pertains to the Imam, but tazeer (discretionary punishments determined by an authority) punishments may also be carried out by the husband and the master."

"If a husband strikes his wife with excessive beating resulting in fracture, injury, or the appearance of bruising on her body, and the wife proves her claim before the judge, the husband is deemed a criminal; the judge shall sentence him to fifteen days of imprisonment."

"The judge shall sentence an apostate woman, for the purpose of compelling her to accept Islam, to life imprisonment, accompanied by ten lashes every three days."

"A person who causes animals—such as dogs, camels, sheep, and similar animals—or birds such as chickens, quail, or partridge to fight is deemed a criminal; the judge shall sentence him to five months of imprisonment."

Human Rights Notes / 29 January 2026