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The Taliban recently announced a new law titled “Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.”
This law imposes the Taliban’s interpretation of Sharia (Islamic law) on the people of Afghanistan.
It severely restricts women’s rights, including silencing their voices and enforcing strict dress codes.
The law also seeks to regulate various aspects of daily life in Afghanistan.
The announcement has sparked global outrage due to its oppressive measures, particularly towards women.
Details of the Law:
Women’s Dress Code: Women are required to cover their entire bodies and faces in the presence of unrelated men, as well as in front of non-Muslim and “immoral” women.
The justification provided is the “fear of temptation.”
Restrictions on Women’s Voices: A woman’s voice, whether singing, chanting, or reciting aloud, is considered “awrah” (intimate) and must not be heard in public.
Women must cover their voices, faces, and bodies whenever they leave their homes out of necessity.
Any violation of these rules will lead to punishment.
Unrelated men and women are not allowed to even look at each other.
Men are required to grow their beards.
Western-style haircuts and neckties are forbidden.
All forms of entertainment, including traditional children’s games like marbles or walnuts, are banned as they are considered forms of gambling.
Travel must be scheduled to avoid prayer times.
Drivers are forbidden from transporting women who are not accompanied by a related male guardian.
Role of the Morality Police (Muhtasib):
The morality police are authorized to enforce these rules and punish violators, including up to three days in prison.
They can compel people to show reverence for Islamic symbols and check electronic devices for prohibited images of living beings.
They are also tasked with ensuring that women’s voices or music do not emanate from homes.
Many of these rules have already been in place in Afghanistan, either declared through Taliban decrees or imposed by local enforcers over the past three years.
Impact of Codifying the Law:
The official codification of these “morality laws” is feared to lead to more brutal punishments and stronger enforcement by the Muhtasib.
International Response:
UN Women labeled the new rules as “oppressive,” and the UN Commissioner for Human Rights called for the “utterly intolerable” law to be repealed.
Former Afghan lawmaker Fawzia Koofi criticized the lack of strong political pressure on the Taliban, noting that the UN had excluded Afghan women from talks in Doha, which emboldened the Taliban.
India’s Position:
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the new law.
India reiterated its support for women’s education in Afghanistan and emphasized the importance of establishing an inclusive and representative government that ensures equal rights for women and girls, including access to higher education.
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