The Taliban government in Afghanistan has recently announced the codification of laws that detail strict rules of behavior and lifestyle based on their interpretation of Islamic law. The 35-article law, published in the official gazette on July 31, establishes prohibitions that are already known in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, but its enactment could lead to increased control over the population.
The justice ministry, in a statement on its website, announced that the law had been approved by the Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, who rules by decree from Kandahar. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, with their white-coat wearing personnel, are responsible for enforcing the law on the streets of Afghanistan.
The law covers a wide range of issues, including social interactions, private lives, and dress codes. The morality police, as they are commonly known, will play a significant role in enforcing religious laws in Afghanistan, according to a UN report that highlighted the creation of a „climate of fear“ by the Taliban government.
One of the key provisions of the law is the requirement for Muslim women to cover their faces and bodies when in the presence of men who are not their mahrams, or close male relatives. Non-Muslim women are also required to adhere to this dress code. Additionally, men are instructed not to wear shorts above the knee or trim their beards too closely.
The law also imposes restrictions on vehicle drivers, prohibiting activities such as playing music, using drugs, or transporting unveiled women. Other prohibitions include bans on homosexuality, missing prayers, adultery, gambling, and disobedience towards parents. The law even extends to the use of technology, prohibiting the creation or viewing of images of living beings on computers or phones.
Media outlets are also subject to strict regulations under the law, with a prohibition on publishing content that is hostile to Sharia law and religion, humiliates Muslims, or depicts living beings. Non-compliance with the law can result in verbal warnings, threats, fines, arrest for up to three days, or other punishments as determined by the morality police. Repeat offenders may be referred to the courts for further action.
The enactment of these laws raises concerns about the erosion of personal freedoms and the imposition of strict religious codes on the population. The Taliban government’s efforts to enforce these laws through the morality police have created a climate of fear and uncertainty among the people of Afghanistan. As the country navigates through this period of transition, it remains to be seen how these laws will impact the daily lives of its citizens.
In conclusion, the codification of laws by the Taliban government in Afghanistan reflects their strict interpretation of Islamic law and their desire to impose control over the population. The enforcement of these laws through the morality police raises concerns about the erosion of personal freedoms and the impact on the daily lives of the Afghan people. As the country continues to navigate through this period of transition, the implications of these laws on society remain to be seen.