KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban publicly flogged a man in the central province of Parwan on Wednesday on charges of “Qazaf,” or falsely accusing another person of adultery, in the latest instance of corporal punishment under their rule.
In a statement, the Taliban’s Supreme Court said the man, identified as Issa Khan, had accused another individual, Abdul Razaq, of adultery but failed to substantiate his claim.
According to the statement, the punishment of 80 lashes, mandated under Islamic law for Qazaf, was carried out in public after receiving approval from the Taliban’s leader.
The statement added that local Taliban judicial officials, other authorities, and members of the public were present during the flogging.
Rising cases of corporal punishment
Over the past month, the Taliban have flogged 101 people, including 15 women, in various provinces for offenses ranging from theft to adultery. Provinces such as Jawzjan and Khost have seen the highest number of such punishments, with 22 cases in Jawzjan and 17 in Khost.
The public floggings are part of a broader return to the Taliban’s strict policies from the 1990s, which include harsh corporal punishments carried out in front of crowds.
Human rights concerns
The Taliban’s revival of public punishments has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and the international community. Advocacy groups have condemned these actions as violations of human rights and called on the Taliban to adhere to international norms.
Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have increasingly enforced rigid interpretations of Islamic law, reversing many of the rights advancements achieved over the past two decades. These measures have raised concerns over the erosion of human rights and the rule of law in Afghanistan.
