(Kabul) – Taliban authorities in Afghanistan on Monday denounced the “arrogance” of Westerners who have condemned a new law aimed at “promoting virtue and forbidding vice” among the population, and imposing new restrictions on women.
The law is “firmly rooted in Islamic teachings” and must be respected and understood, Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement late Monday.
He added, “Rejecting these laws without trying to understand them is, in our opinion, an expression of arrogance,” stressing that a Muslim's criticism of this law “may even lead to a decline in his faith.”
The new 35-article legislation, passed on Wednesday, is likely to control all aspects of Afghan life, both social and private, in a very strict interpretation of Islamic law.
“I must make it clear that force and repression will not be used when implementing these rules,” deputy government spokesman Hamdallah Fatrah said in an audio message shared with AFP.
He stressed that these rules “will be carefully implemented and attract people's understanding and guidance.”
The law controls every aspect of Afghan life, from clothing to social interactions, including dress and beard length for men, bans on homosexuality, animal fighting, music in public places, and holidays other than those listed on the Islamic religious calendar.
Women must be fully veiled and their voices must not be heard in public places, according to an article of this law announced by the Ministry of Justice.
The United Nations, human rights organizations and Afghans have expressed concern about the new law, some of whose provisions have been unofficially in effect since the Taliban seized power in August 2021.
The European Union said on Monday it was “appalled” by the decree, which deals a “new blow” to the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
It creates “another obstacle to the normalization of relations” between Afghanistan and the EU, noted 27.
European recognition of the Taliban regime can only be achieved if Kabul fully respects it. [ses] International obligations and towards the people of Afghanistan.
The law provides for graduated penalties for non-compliance – ranging from verbal warnings and threats to fines and detention for varying periods – imposed by the morality police of the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (PVPV).
The Taliban government has consistently rejected international criticism, including condemnation of restrictions on women, which the United Nations has described as “gender apartheid.”
The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, said the law outlines “a worrying vision of the future of Afghanistan, where morality inspectors have discretionary powers to threaten and arrest anyone based on broad and sometimes vague lists of crimes.” Afghanistan (UNAMA).
