Taliban Criminal Code Allows Child Abüse, Sl@very & Exécutïons, Says Rights Group
The human rights organisation Rawadari says the Taliban have failed to fully criminalise the beating of children under their criminal courts’ code of procedure.
According to the organisation, Article 30 of the code prohibits only certain forms of physical violence that result in “bone fractures” or “tearing of the skin”.
The code does not explicitly ban other forms of physical, psychological or sexual violence against children. Article 48 states that a father may punish his 10-year-old son for actions such as neglecting prayers.
Taliban Code Recognises Slavery
Rawadari says the Taliban’s criminal code recognises slavery by repeatedly using the term “slave”. Articles 15 and 4 of the code refer to slavery and related rights.
Slavery is absolutely prohibited under international law in all its forms.
One provision states: “For any crime for which no fixed ‘hudud’ punishment is prescribed, discretionary punishment shall be imposed, whether the offender is free or a slave.”
Taliban Courts’ Code Prescribes Death for Opponents
According to the Taliban courts’ code, one copy of which has been obtained by Afghanistan International, the Taliban have issued death sentences for individuals described as “rebels”. The code states that the harm caused by a “rebel” is public in nature and cannot be remedied without killing.
This provision grants judicial bodies the authority to sentence opponents and critics to death. Article 4, Clause 6, allows citizens to personally punish individuals if they witness a “sin” being committed.
The code states: “Any Muslim who sees a person committing a sin has the right to punish them.”
Another provision says: “Anyone who witnesses or becomes aware of subversive meetings by opponents of the system but fails to inform the relevant authorities is considered a criminal and shall be sentenced to two years in prison.”