KABUL, Afghanistan — In a solemn assembly in Kabul where cameras were not allowed, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s minister of vice and virtue, made a bold assertion about equality and accountability under Islamic law. Hanafi, emphasizing the importance of adherence to stricter Islamic laws, conveyed that no exceptions would be made for Taliban officials compared to ordinary citizens.
This decree, according to Hanafi in an audio message released by the Taliban-run media RTA, underscores a fundamental Islamic principle that leaders should not be above the law which they enforce upon others. This narrative emerged just a week after the group’s leader reiterated calls for the strict enforcement of Sharia law, which was swiftly followed by public executions of four individuals.
The virtue minister’s remarks also highlighted the role of Taliban scholars and officials as societal pillars whose integrity and actions should steer the community towards a righteous path. He pointed out Islam’s stringent stance against fraudulent dealings and negligence, stressing that those guilty of such vices threaten the very essence of the Islamic system.
Despite these proclaimed values, evidence suggests a glaring discrepancy in the application of laws among the Taliban’s ranks. Notably, senior Taliban officials have been seen in meetings with women and engaging in activities that contradict their public decrees concerning women’s visibility and roles in society. This disparity is further accentuated by the selective enforcement of a ban on images of living beings, allowing Taliban media coverage of official events while restricting independent media from doing likewise.
Human rights organizations have recorded significant punitive measures imposed by the Taliban since their ascent to power nearly four years ago. Reports indicate at least 855 people, including 148 women, have been subjected to corporal punishment, with more than 178 facing retributive sentences. Public executions tallying at least 10 have exclusively targeted ordinary Afghan citizens.
The treatment of women under Taliban rule has been particularly draconian, with ongoing restrictions on education, movement, and strict dress codes. These policies have been met with criticism from local residents and global onlookers alike, denouncing what many see as a hypocritical application of law that targets the vulnerable while sparing the powerful.
Civic voices, including Kabul-based women’s rights activist Raqiya Saee, have pointed out that Taliban officials accused of serious offenses such as assault and murder have conspicuously avoided the harsh penalties they impose on others. This sentiment is echoed across interviews with residents in Kabul, painting a picture of a governance system steeped in selective justice and inequality.
As the Taliban continue to enforce their interpretation of Islamic statutes amid global scrutiny, the calls for equitable application of the law grow louder, not just from those under their rule but from the international community demanding consistency and fairness in legal matters.
While this story reflects complex social and legal dynamics under Taliban rule in Afghanistan, readers should note that the account was produced automatically. The facts, narrative, and portrayed circumstances could be subject to inaccuracies. Concerns or requests for corrections and retractions can be directed to [email protected].