Since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan, increasingly severe laws have been enacted against women. There is an alarming disregard for women's human rights. Now, a new law equates women with 'slaves'. Under the Taliban's legal code, husbands are permitted to harm their wives, provided they don't break bones or cause open wounds. Additionally, even if domestic violence is proven, a husband may face a maximum of 15 days in jail.
The newly enforced penal code in Taliban-governed Afghanistan, encompassing a substantial 90-page document, bears the signature of Taliban's supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and will soon be distributed to courts. This code categorizes society into different classes based on religion and social status, with religious leaders at the top and the lower classes at the bottom.
Punishments for crimes are determined by the perpetrator's social status. If a religious scholar commits a crime, they will only receive a warning or advice. Members of the social elite may be summoned to court, while the middle class could face imprisonment. For the lower class, both imprisonment and corporal punishment are prescribed.
Women are deemed 'equivalent to slaves' in this legislation. Husbands or 'masters' are granted limited rights to punish, provided they do not cause fractures or open wounds. Women's rights organizations express serious concerns over this provision. Severe offenses will be adjudicated by Islamic scholars, while minor ones include 'Tazir' punishments, which can involve beating wives.
Women do have the right to file complaints but face strict conditions, such as presenting injuries in court and being accompanied by their husband or male guardian. Legal advisors consider this a lengthy and complex process. Even if a woman proves a serious assault, the husband might face only up to 15 days in jail.
Human rights experts and advocacy groups indicate that the law does not explicitly prohibit violence against women, leaving them vulnerable. Discussing these codes openly is also considered risky. These new rules have heightened fear and concern, especially among women and the lower classes.
Since the Taliban took control in Afghanistan, increasingly severe laws have been enacted against women. There is an alarming disregard for women's human rights. Now, a new law equates women with 'slaves'.
