Taliban Justifies Protest Ban Amid Religious Backlash

The Taliban defended their ban on protests on Wednesday, justifying it through the lens of Islamic law; however, religious scholars have rejected this prohibition.

Taliban’s Defense of Protest Ban

On Wednesday, September 11, the Taliban government defended its law prohibiting protests. This law has faced widespread criticism from human rights groups and activists, as it forbids any form of demonstration. The Taliban emphasizes that this ban is essential for ensuring security and stability in the country, citing Islamic law as its basis.

Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid stated that protests pertain to the political matters of democratic societies and are unnecessary in an Islamic system. He also emphasized the need to prevent chaos and disorder, asserting that various institutions exist to address grievances.

Religious Scholars’ Critique of Protest Ban

A group of religious scholars has strongly rejected the prohibition, deeming it un-Islamic. Fazl-ul-Hadi Wazeen, a scholar of Islamic jurisprudence, noted that the right to protest also belongs to groups and that there is no clear religious text forbidding it. He warned that ignoring the right to protest could lead to tyranny and oppression.

Amnesty International, in response to the law, described it as a threat to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the people, asserting that peaceful assembly is a natural right of citizens. The organization highlighted that the ban on protests imposes further restrictions on existing freedoms in Afghanistan.

Reactions from Human Rights and Women’s Activists

Human rights activists, particularly women’s advocates, have also expressed their opposition to this law. A female protester from Badakhshan stated that the inability to protest disregards a part of her identity and presence. She emphasized that the right to protest must be maintained not only for herself but for all women in society.

Recently, amidst protests against the detention of women and girls by the Taliban, reports emerged of excessive force and gunfire, leading to casualties among demonstrators. Human rights organizations, including UNAMA, have repeatedly underscored the public’s right to peaceful expression.

The Taliban introduced the ‘Sharia Police’ law for their police forces, which contains 53 articles, addressing the prohibition of protests. This law has been signed by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban leader, and published in the official gazette.