Afghan and international observers have raised serious concerns over a newly issued decree by the Taliban regime that significantly alters Afghanistan’s judicial and detention framework, potentially undermining fundamental human rights and due process.
According to a report by Afghan media outlet Amu TV, the Taliban government has introduced sweeping changes to the country’s detention laws. Under the new decree, authorities are empowered to detain suspects for extended periods without judicial oversight. Specifically, the maximum period for holding a suspect has been increased from 72 hours to 10 days, effectively eliminating the right to release prior to a court order. Detention powers are now entirely vested in Afghanistan’s security and intelligence agencies.
The decree also revokes prior legal provisions that allowed for the release of detainees without judicial approval, concentrating all authority over release in Taliban-controlled courts. Experts warn that this could lead to prolonged detentions, arbitrary arrests, and the denial of essential legal protections for Afghan citizens.
Legal analysts have expressed alarm, noting that the decree violates the basic right to a fair trial and contradicts internationally recognized standards of justice. “This new policy removes critical safeguards for detainees and risks incarcerating innocent individuals for months without due process,” one legal expert stated.
The United Nations has previously condemned multiple arrests carried out by the Taliban regime since 2021 as illegal, highlighting an ongoing pattern of disregard for human rights and judicial norms. Observers emphasize that such hardline and extremist policies are gradually transforming Afghanistan into a society where freedoms are severely restricted, effectively creating conditions akin to an “open-air prison.”
Human rights advocates and legal professionals warn that the decree represents a serious blow to justice and accountability in Afghanistan, jeopardizing not only the rights of individuals currently detained but also the broader rule of law in the country.
This development underscores the urgent need for international attention and engagement to ensure that fundamental human rights are upheld and that Afghan citizens are protected from arbitrary detention and denial of judicial safeguards.
