The Afghan Taliban government has strongly defended its newly codified morality law in response to widespread criticism, asserting that rejecting the legislation without a proper understanding of Islamic law reflects “arrogance.” The 35-article law, announced by the justice ministry, imposes extensive rules on behavior, dress, and social conduct, particularly targeting women, and has raised concerns among international bodies and rights groups.
The law mandates that women must fully cover themselves in public, refrain from raising their voices, and limits their movements, among other restrictions. Men are also subject to regulations regarding clothing and prayer attendance. Additionally, the law bans activities such as keeping photos of living beings, homosexuality, animal fighting, playing music in public, and celebrating non-Muslim holidays.
The Taliban, which has governed Afghanistan since taking power in 2021, insists that these rules are deeply rooted in Islamic teachings. Chief government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid emphasized in a statement that the law should be respected and understood within the context of Islamic principles. He warned that for Muslims to criticize the law could jeopardize their faith, underscoring the Taliban’s rigid stance on enforcing their interpretation of Sharia.
International reaction to the law has been swift and condemnatory. The European Union expressed its dismay, with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell describing the decree as “another serious blow” to the rights of Afghan women and girls. He called on the Taliban to cease what he termed “systematic and systemic abuses” against women, suggesting that such actions might constitute gender persecution, a crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
The United Nations and various human rights organizations have also voiced their concerns, fearing that the law will lead to harsher enforcement of already stringent rules on lifestyle and behavior. The UN has previously criticized the Taliban’s treatment of women, labeling it as “gender apartheid.” Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), has expressed alarm over the law, describing it as a “distressing vision for Afghanistan’s future,” where moral inspectors wield broad discretionary powers.
Despite these criticisms, the Taliban government remains resolute in its commitment to enforcing the law. Mujahid dismissed fears about the enforcement process, claiming that no individual’s rights would be violated and that punishments would range from verbal warnings to fines and detentions, implemented by the morality police under the Ministry for Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
The Taliban has repeatedly rejected international condemnation of its policies, particularly those affecting women. The new morality law, which the Taliban insists will be enforced “gently” through advice and guidance, according to deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, is seen by the UN and EU as a potential barrier to Afghanistan’s engagement with the international community.
The Taliban government, which remains unrecognized by any state, has nonetheless sought diplomatic recognition and participated in UN-hosted talks in Qatar. However, Mujahid made it clear that international concerns would not deter the Taliban from its commitment to upholding and enforcing its interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, signaling an ongoing standoff with the global community over human rights and governance in Afghanistan.
