Kabul: The Taliban government in Afghanistan has introduced a new criminal procedure law that has sparked strong criticism from human rights groups and legal experts around the world. The law is being described as one of the most discriminatory legal codes issued since the group returned to power.
According to reports from independent media and rights organisations, the new law divides society into different social groups. These include religious scholars, elites, ordinary citizens and lower classes. Punishment for the same crime can vary depending on which group a person belongs to.
Under the new rules, religious scholars who commit offences may only receive advice instead of real punishment. In contrast, people from lower social groups can face harsher penalties such as imprisonment or physical punishment for similar acts.
One of the most controversial parts of the law is its use of the word slave as a legal category. The text makes a distinction between free persons and slaves when discussing punishment and legal responsibility. Rights groups say this amounts to recognising slavery in law, which is banned under international human rights standards.
The law also weakens basic legal protections. It does not clearly guarantee the right to a lawyer or a fair trial. It allows wide powers for judges and local enforcers, raising fears that punishments could be imposed without proper evidence or due process.
Human rights organisations have warned that the new system will increase discrimination, especially against poor people, women and religious minorities. They say the law puts clerics above the law and removes the idea that all people should be treated equally.
Former Afghan officials and international observers say the code takes the country further away from modern legal principles and moves it toward a system based on rigid social hierarchy rather than justice.
So far, the Taliban authorities have not responded to the criticism. They say their laws are based on their interpretation of religious rules and are meant to bring order to society.
The new legal code has added to concerns about Afghanistan’s future, as the country remains isolated internationally and faces growing pressure over human rights and governance.