On Monday, the Taliban carried out a public execution in Shibirghan, the capital of northern Jawzjan province. This marked the third such death sentence executed in the past five days. This public spectacle took place at a sports stadium, with thousands of people witnessing the event in heavy snowfall. The victim, identified as Nazar Mohammad from Faryab province, was convicted of murdering Khal Mohammad in Jawzjan.
The execution was conducted by the brother of the murdered man, who shot Nazar Mohammad five times with a rifle. Security around the stadium was reportedly tight, emphasizing the Taliban’s control over the event. This macabre public execution is the fifth since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.
Notably, the Taliban’s supreme court stated that Monday’s death sentence was carried out following approval from three of the country’s highest courts. The Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, also approved it. This underscores the official sanctioning of such executions within the Taliban’s judicial framework.
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This recent public execution follows the execution of two men in Ghazni province last Thursday. In that case, relatives of the victims fired guns at the convicts in another public spectacle. This drew condemnation from the international community.
In addition to public executions, the Taliban has carried out other forms of brutal punishment in recent days. Separate statements from the Taliban’s supreme court reported the flogging of a man and a woman with 35 lashes each in Balkh province for adultery. Furthermore, two individuals in Laghman province received 30 lashes each over the weekend for allegedly committing immoral acts. These incidents highlight the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law and their willingness to impose harsh punishments.
The United Nations has consistently criticized the Taliban for carrying out public executions, lashings, and stonings since seizing power. The international body has called on the country’s rulers to halt such practices. They deem them extremely heinous and a violation of human rights.
The use of public executions by the Taliban raises concerns about the human rights situation in Afghanistan under their rule. The public nature of these events, where crowds gather to witness the execution, adds an element of fear and intimidation to the already oppressive atmosphere. The Taliban’s willingness to conduct such executions publicly suggests a deliberate effort to establish their authority through fear.
The international community, including the United Nations, has a responsibility to closely monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan and exert diplomatic pressure on the Taliban to adhere to international standards. Public executions not only violate fundamental human rights principles but also undermine the prospects for a more inclusive Afghanistan.
The recent wave of public executions underscores the challenges faced by Afghan citizens, particularly those who question the Taliban’s authority. The international community must remain vigilant in advocating for the protection of human rights in Afghanistan. It should support efforts to establish a more just and inclusive society.
As the Taliban consolidates its control over Afghanistan, the world watches closely to see how the group’s actions will impact the country’s future. The use of public executions as a tool of governance is a troubling sign. It requires a coordinated response from the global community to ensure the protection of the rights of the Afghan people.
