UN human rights chief demands repeal of Taliban’s new morality laws
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has called on Afghanistan’s Taliban to immediately repeal a set of new laws that he described as “egregious” and designed to turn women into “shadows.”
Addressing journalists through a spokesperson, Turk condemned the recent codification of the Taliban’s morality laws, which he argues completely erase women’s presence in public life and deprive them of their autonomy. “This is utterly intolerable,” he stated, criticizing the laws for silencing women’s voices and diminishing their visibility.
Last week, the Taliban formalized a series of regulations that mandate women to cover their bodies and faces entirely and impose strict moral codes on men, including the requirement to grow beards and avoid activities deemed un-Islamic. The Justice Ministry announced these rules, which are based on a decree from the Taliban’s supreme spiritual leader issued in 2022, are now officially enshrined in law.
The legislation, comprising 35 articles, was ratified by Supreme Spiritual Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and published officially on Wednesday. The new laws are to be enforced by the Ministry for the Prevention of Vice and Propagation of Virtue, which has been previously known for its strict enforcement and detentions related to moral violations.
The new rules also include prohibitions on car drivers playing music and impose penalties ranging from verbal warnings and property confiscation to detention and court referrals for non-compliance. These measures are intended to ensure adherence to Islamic Sharia principles as interpreted by the Taliban.
The Taliban suspended Afghanistan’s previous constitution upon taking power in 2021, vowing to govern according to their interpretation of Sharia law. The UN’s call for repeal underscores growing international concern over the increasing restrictions on women’s rights and personal freedoms in the country.
