Taliban's regress: Public stonings and floggings to return in Afghanistan

The Afghan regime returns to public stoning and flogging. Last week, the Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, announced that the government in Afghanistan intends to revert to a traditional interpretation of Sharia law. He also mentioned that the reintroduction of public flogging and stoning of women for adultery is under consideration.

Human rights organizations have expressed alarm over this announcement by the Afghan authorities. The Taliban aims to reinstate traditional punishments. Out of respect for the fundamentalist traditions Afghan leaders want comprehensive adherence to the age-old laws of Sharia.

As reported by "The Guardian", this stance terrifies international activists from organizations committed to human rights and women's rights. Safia Arefi, a lawyer and head of the Afghan organization Women's Window of Hope, pointed out that the Taliban's statement is a major setback for women in Afghanistan, taking them back to the oppressive era of the 90s.

- With this declaration, the Taliban leaders have initiated a new era of personal punishments. Afghan women are feeling profoundly isolated. The global community has opted to stay silent on these breaches of their rights – Arefi stated.

The supreme leader of the Taliban, Hibatullah Akhundzada, indeed, plans the reintroduction of public flogging and stoning of women for adultery. - You might call it a breach of women's rights, when we openly stone or flog them for adultery because it opposes your democratic principles. But I am acting on behalf of Allah, and you act on behalf of Satan - he remarked during a radio broadcast.

He rationalized this action as a continuation of the Taliban's battle against Western influences. - The task of the Taliban did not conclude with the capture of Kabul; it has just embarked – Akhundzada commented, referencing the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021.

- Initially, they lacked the boldness to openly disclose their intentions. Now, it's clear that we are reverting to the darkest times. Through the oppression of Afghan women, the Taliban are establishing their moral and social norms - noted Sahar Fetrat, an Afghan researcher from Human Rights Watch.

Since assuming power in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, the fundamentalists have abolished the democratic constitution backed by Western nations, suspended the existing penal codes, and embraced their rendition of Sharia law. They have barred women from many workplaces and educational institutions, including schools and universities.

As per Afghan Witness, a research group monitoring human rights in Afghanistan, just last year, Taliban-led courts sentenced 417 individuals to public floggings and executions, including 57 women.

Source: "The Guardian"