KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban publicly flogged 19 people, including three women, in five provinces over the past three days amid increasing use of corporal punishment.
In multiple statements, the Taliban Supreme Court said the individuals were punished on charges including “illicit relationship,” “theft,” and “drug trafficking” in Kabul, Nangarhar, Parwan, Paktia, Balkh, and Kapisa provinces.
The court said 11 people were flogged in Kabul on Monday on charges of trafficking and selling narcotic tablets, alcoholic beverages, and shisha. Each received 39 lashes in public and prison sentences of up to one year.
Two people were publicly flogged in Nangarhar on Sunday on similar charges, receiving 20 lashes each and prison terms of up to one year, according to the statement.
In separate announcements, the court said four people, including three women, were flogged in Parwan, Paktia, and Balkh over the past two days on charges of “illicit relationship.” Each received 39 lashes and prison terms of up to two years.
Additionally, the court said two people were flogged in Kapisa province on Tuesday on charges of theft, with each receiving 39 lashes and prison sentences of up to two years.
These punishments add to a growing number of public floggings carried out by the Taliban since returning to power in 2021. A recent report by the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented at least 242 people, including 48 women, one boy, and two girls, who were publicly flogged across the country between July and September this year.
Human rights groups have criticized the practice as “cruel, inhuman and degrading,” saying it violates international law. They have urged the Taliban to end the punishments. The Taliban says the floggings are part of the enforcement of Sharia law in Afghanistan and accuses critics of opposing Islamic principles.
