KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban has approved a law banning poets from criticizing its leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, or writing romantic poetry, further restricting freedom of expression in Afghanistan.
The Taliban Ministry of Justice announced on Saturday that the “Law on Regulating Poetry Competitions,” approved by the supreme leader, contains 13 articles outlining how poetry events should be conducted and what content is permitted.
The law applies to all official poetry gatherings and sets strict rules for poets, organizers, and cultural institutions under Taliban oversight.
Under the law, poets are prohibited from encouraging friendships between boys and girls and cannot criticize the leader’s decrees, directives, rulings, or decisions.
Poets must ensure their work promotes “Islamic morals, Sharia-based principles, self-purification, adherence to Sunni beliefs, and the promotion of Islamic values.” Poetry must be free of “improper desires, worldly love, or inappropriate emotions.”
The law also bans references to what the Taliban call “un-Islamic ideologies,” including feminism, communism, democracy, nationalism, and atheism. Violators, including poets, speakers, and event organizers, will face punishment “in accordance with Sharia,” the ministry said.
The Taliban Ministry of Information and Culture is responsible for enforcing the law. Provincial offices must record poetry competitions, and an oversight committee—including representatives from the ministry, the Vice and Virtue authority, and the Ulema Council—will decide which poems may be officially published.
Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have introduced multiple laws restricting the rights and freedoms of Afghan citizens. Writers, poets, journalists, and activists who criticize the group have been detained or forced to leave, while those who remain face strict censorship and severe limitations on their work.
