Taliban Once Again Demonstrates Its Harsh and Controversial Judicial System with Public Floggings in Kabul and Kunduz
The Taliban has once again demonstrated its hardline and controversial judicial system by publicly flogging nine individuals — including two women — in Kabul and Kunduz. These punishments were carried out over alleged immoral relationships and drug-related offenses, which international human rights organizations have condemned as inhumane, cruel, and a form of torture.
According to the Taliban’s Supreme Court, the individuals were convicted on charges of engaging in sexual relations outside of marriage, selling hashish, and involvement in other drug-related crimes. The sentences were issued by the counter-narcotics court in Kabul and the primary court in the Qala-e-Zal district of Kunduz.
On May 20, a man and a woman in Kunduz were sentenced to 39 lashes and three years in prison for alleged extramarital relations. A similar punishment was carried out in Kabul against another couple on comparable charges.
On the same day in Kabul, five men were sentenced to 20 to 30 lashes and prison terms ranging from 8 months to 3 years for allegedly selling hashish and recreational drugs.
The Taliban has not provided any information about the transparency of the judicial process, nor has it clarified whether the accused were given a fair chance to defend themselves. Human rights organizations argue that these sentences are not only unjust but also a blatant example of state-sanctioned violence.
Over the past week, the Taliban has publicly flogged at least 25 individuals — including five women — in various provinces.
While the Taliban claims these actions are in line with the enforcement of Islamic Sharia law, critics argue that such punishments are a means of instilling fear through brute force. Since reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban has reinstated many of the repressive and authoritarian policies from its previous regime, drawing sharp criticism from the international community.
Human rights experts say that public floggings and executions violate international law and warn that the Taliban’s approach is further isolating Afghanistan and driving the country toward greater turmoil and destruction.
