A Taliban court in Afghanistan’s northern province of Faryab publicly flogged a woman for having an illegitimate relationship and fleeing from home. According to a statement from the Taliban’s Supreme Court, she received a punishment of 30 lashes and was sentenced to six months in prison.
In Afghanistan, any sexual relationship outside of marriage is deemed illegal, and women who run away from home often face harsh penalties from their families.
In a related case over the weekend, two individuals in the southern Kandahar province were also publicly whipped for committing sodomy, receiving 30 lashes each and one-year prison sentences.
Since the Taliban regained power, corporal punishment has been reintroduced, encompassing executions and public floggings for various offenses, including murder, robbery, and adultery. The United Nations has condemned these practices, stating they violate the UN Convention against Torture and has urged an end to such punitive measures.
However, the Taliban authorities have dismissed these criticisms, asserting that their legal system mandates these forms of punishment to maintain public security and safety.