Photo: supremecourt.gov.af

Taliban Publicly Flog Eight, Including Four Women, as Corporal Punishments Surge

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban’s Supreme Court has announced the public flogging of eight people, including four women, in Laghman and Kabul.

In a statement released on October 16, the court confirmed that four individuals, including two women, were whipped in Laghman, following rulings from the Provincial Criminal Court. The sentences were carried out in public.

One man received 30 lashes and was sentenced to two years in prison for “theft.” Additionally, two women and a man were each punished with 39 lashes for “illicit relations” and “fleeing from home.” One of them was sentenced to six months in prison, while the others were given three-year terms.

In a separate statement, the court reported that four more individuals, including two women, were flogged in Kabul for “illicit relations.” The punishments took place on October 6 and 13, following rulings from Kabul’s Criminal Court. One person was given 30 lashes and six months in prison, while the other three received 35 lashes and were sentenced to 18 months in prison.

This latest round of corporal punishment is part of a broader crackdown by the Taliban, who have intensified public floggings across the country since their return to power. The regime has targeted hundreds of individuals, including women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The rise in public floggings follows directives from the Taliban’s hardline supreme leader during recent provincial visits, where he urged local authorities to enforce “hudud” – punishments based on Islamic law.

The UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recently reported 179 instances of corporal punishment in a three-month period, including the flogging of 28 women and four children. The Taliban have also carried out public executions, with at least five people convicted of murder being executed before large crowds.

Human rights organizations have condemned these practices, stating that corporal punishment violates international law and human dignity. They have also criticized the Taliban’s legal process, arguing that the courts do not follow fair trial standards and deny the accused access to legal defense.

Despite growing international pressure, the Taliban remain unmoved, with their leader reaffirming the enforcement of Sharia law across Afghanistan.