KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, defended their policies on women’s rights citing Sharia law in response to a U.S. Department of State report that criticized Afghanistan’s human rights record.
Mujahid stated that as Muslims, Afghans have their rights “ensured based on Sharia,” countering findings from the U.S. report.
The Department of State’s 2023 Human Rights Report earlier highlighted a significant deterioration in the conditions for women in Afghanistan, noting increased restrictions on their access to education and employment. According to the report, these edicts have largely confined women to domestic roles, further limiting their public presence.