June 26 marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, an occasion dedicated to raising awareness and support for victims worldwide.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the gravity of torture as a crime under international law. “According to all relevant instruments, it is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any circumstances,” Guterres said. “This rule is part of widely accepted international law, binding on all countries, even those that have not ratified specific treaties prohibiting torture.”
This statement comes amid alarming reports of the Taliban engaging in public acts of torture and flogging. In a recent incident, the Taliban lashed four individuals, including two women, in the provinces of Herat and Parwan on Tuesday.
The Taliban’s use of corporal punishment has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and the United Nations. The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, along with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, has strongly denounced these actions.
