The Taliban’s Supreme Court has confirmed that two men were publicly flogged in the provinces of Kapisa and Faryab after being convicted of “illicit relations” and “transporting alcoholic beverages.” The court stated that the men received between 20 and 39 lashes each, in addition to prison sentences ranging from one to two years.
The corporal punishment was reportedly carried out in the courtyards of provincial courts, witnessed by local officials, court staff, and members of the public—a display that echoes the Taliban’s strict enforcement of its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.
Since their return to power in August 2021, the Taliban has reinstated harsh punitive practices, including public floggings, executions, and amputations. These actions have sparked widespread criticism from international human rights organizations, which describe such punishments as inhumane and in clear violation of international human rights law.
Human Rights Watch and other global bodies have repeatedly condemned the use of corporal punishment, labeling it a form of torture. The continued use of public punishments has raised alarm among rights defenders, who warn that Afghanistan is witnessing a systematic erosion of legal protections and human dignity under Taliban rule. Observers note that the resurgence of these brutal methods further isolates the regime from the international community and undermines any prospects for recognition or engagement.
Rights advocates have urged global powers and the United Nations to take stronger diplomatic and legal action to pressure the Taliban into halting these practices, calling them a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s obligations under international law.
