TheTalibanhas introduced a new 90-page criminal code that formally allows husbands to beat their wives as a form of punishment, provided the violence does not cause serious or visible injury such as broken bones. Signed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, the document, called De Mahakumu Jazaai Osulnama, has been distributed to courts throughout Afghanistan. According to a report from The Independent, it draws heavily on interpretations of Islamic scripture and sets out rules that create clear differences in how punishment is applied depending on a person’s social position.
Women who suffer serious assault can seek justice, but the process is difficult. They must show their injuries to a judge while remaining fully covered. They are also required to appear in court with a male guardian (mahram), often the same husband accused of the abuse. Even when a woman successfully proves serious harm, the maximum penalty for the husband is 15 days in prison.
Middle-class offenders come third, they face imprisonment. Those considered “lower class”, who come fourth, can receive both prison time and corporal punishment. Serious crimes that carry corporal punishment will be carried out by Islamic clerics rather than regular prison staff.
The code comes at a time when the Taliban continues to restrict women’s rights in education, work, and public life. Many Afghan women and girls have already been barred from secondary schools and universities, and from most forms of employment. International observers and human rights organisations have described the new legal framework as a major step backward for women and for equal treatment under the law. The Taliban has not responded publicly to criticism of the document.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
