In the Public Eye: Afghanistan's Controversial Return to Public Executions

1-04-2024

Masoumeh Rahimi

Middle East and Human Rights Researcher

Global Human Rights Defence

According to Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, on February 26th, 2024, a man was publicly executed in a stadium in Shibirghan, in the northern Jawzjan Province of Afghanistan [1]. It was the sixth public execution since August 2021 [2]. According to Zabihullah Mujahid, the individual was given a death sentence for murder by the Supreme Court of the Taliban [3]. Additionally, in the southern city of Ghazni, two individuals were put to the death penalty in front of the public one week before 26th February for murder [4].

Since taking back control of Afghanistan in August 2021 and enforcing their strict version of Islamic law, the Taliban have executed more than five convicted murderers and flogged several hundred others, including women, in sports arenas [5]. In another case, in February 2024, a woman and a man found guilty of running away from home and adultery were publicly flogged 35 times in the northwest province of Balkh [6]. Moreover, the Taliban have placed extensive limitations on women’s participation in public life, preventing females from entering gyms and parks and prohibiting girls from going to school after sixth grade [7]. The de facto Afghan leadership has claimed that Islamic law and regulations are the foundation for the criminal justice system and overall government, which are considered to protect the interests of Islam and the Afghan people [8].

In response to the continuous violations of human rights by the Taliban, human rights organisations had critical reactions. For example, Amnesty International’s interim Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Livia Saccardi, noted that “[they] oppose all executions as a violation of the right to life. The Taliban has repeatedly been carrying them out publicly, which is a gross affront to human dignity as well as a violation of international regulations and cannot be tolerated” [9]. Moreover, the United Nations Human Rights spokesperson, Jeremy Laurence, on public executions in Afghanistan said “we call on the de facto authorities to ensure full respect for due process and fair trial rights, in particular access to legal representation, for anyone confronted with criminal charges [10]. International human rights organisations also called for an immediate end to mass public executions and corporal punishment, especially for women and children [11]. The United Nations Human Rights Office on February 28th, 2024 noted that “such executions are arbitrary in nature and contrary to the right to life protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Afghanistan is a State party. They must cease immediately” [12].

In addition to undermining human dignity, the current surge in public executions in Afghanistan also indicates a very concerning trend that further isolates it on the global stage [13]. The widespread international reaction, which is typified by denunciations and demands for an end, emphasises how urgent discussion and action are needed. It draws attention to Afghanistan's crucial decision-making point: continue along a road that deviates significantly from international human rights standards or reevaluate current methods in favour of a more humane legal system that complies with both international standards and people's fundamental rights.

Sources and Further Reading:

[1] Ayaz Gul, 'Taliban Execute Convicted Killer in Afghan Sports Stadium' (Voice of America, 26 February 2024), <Taliban Execute Convicted Killer in Afghan Sports Stadium>, accessed 1 April 2024.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid. 

[4] Taliban hold public execution for 2 men, who are killed by gunfire in a stadium as thousands watch' (AP News, 23 February 2024), <Taliban hold public execution for 2 men, who are killed by gunfire in a stadium as thousands watch>, accessed 1 April 2024.

[5] Ibid. 

[6]Taliban hold third public execution in the past five days (The Hindu, 27 February 2024), <Taliban hold third public execution in the past five days - The Hindu>, accessed 2 April 2024.

[7] Jeremy Laurence, 'Comment on public executions in Afghanistan' (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 28 February 2024), <Comment by UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Afghanistan execution | OHCHR>, accessed 2 April 2024.

[8] Ibid.

[9]Amnesty International, 'Afghanistan: Taliban must halt all executions and abolish death penalty' (23 February 2024), <Afghanistan: Taliban must halt all executions and abolish death penalty - Amnesty International>, accessed 2 April 2024.

[10] Jeremy Laurence, 'Comment on public executions in Afghanistan' (Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, 28 February 2024), <Comment by UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence on Afghanistan execution | OHCHR>, accessed 2 April 2024.

[11] Afghanistan: UN appalled at revival of public floggings, executions' (UN News, 28 February 2024), <Afghanistan: UN appalled at revival of public floggings, executions | UN News>, accessed 2 April 2024.

[12] Ibid.

[13] Chapter 12 Afghanistan: Death Penalty at the Crossroads' in LAW Explorer (20 October 2015), <Afghanistan: Death Penalty at the Crossroads |>, accessed 1 April 2024.