- Upon enactment of a compulsory beard decree, the Taliban institutes a "morality" regulation.
Taliban's Strict Governance in Afghanistan: Enforcing New Morality Norms
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has introduced stringent moral regulations, further tightening the control previously exercised by the moral police. This new legislation, which includes mandates for female veiling and prohibition of homosexuality, was announced by the supreme leader of the Islamists, Hibatullah Akhundzada, as confirmed by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday. The law was published in the official gazette at the end of July.
Impact on Women, Men, and the Media
This legislation strengthens the authority of the morality police, who have been administrating Islamic Sharia law-based behavioral guidelines since the Taliban regained power in 2021. In accordance with this law, "Muslim women are obliged to cover their face and body" in the presence of male relatives not directly connected to them.
Men are required to wear trousers that extend to their knees and maintain a beard of appropriate length. The prohibitions extend to homosexual relationships, adultery, and gambling, as well as creating or viewing media content depicting living beings.
Non-compliance with prayers and disobedience towards parents can also result in punishment. The media is barred from distributing content that violates Sharia law, insults Muslims, or features live beings.
UN Criticizes "Atmosphere of Fear" in Afghanistan
The morality police have the power to punish infractions with warnings, threats, fines, up to three days of detention, or other penalties. Repeated offenses may lead to court proceedings.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has previously expressed concern over the creation of an "atmosphere of fear" in Afghanistan by the morality enforcers.
Following a period of Western military presence, the radical Islamic Taliban reclaimed power in Afghanistan in August 2021, declaring an "Islamic Emirate." Since then, they have enforced their strict interpretation of Islam with severe laws, notably curtailing women's rights. Internationally, the Taliban remain shunned, with no nation recognizing them as the formal government of Afghanistan.
In adherence to the Taliban's strict moral regulations, "Muslim women are obliged to cover their face and body" in the presence of male relatives not directly connected to them. The Taliban's enforcement of these regulations has contributed to an "atmosphere of fear" in Afghanistan, as critiqued by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
