Violence against women effectively legalized in Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s Taliban interim government has officially adopted a new criminal code that sharply restricts women’s rights, The Sunday Guardian reported.

According to the report, the document has sparked strong criticism from human rights advocates and the international community.

Experts say several provisions in the code effectively legalize domestic violence and significantly restrict the fundamental rights of women and children. Rights groups have also pointed to clear disparities in sentencing, noting that punishments for violence against women may be lighter than penalties for some non-violent offenses.

Article 32, which addresses violence against a spouse, has drawn particular criticism. Under the provision, a husband who physically assaults his wife and causes injuries such as fractures or bruising could face only up to 15 days in detention if the abuse is proven in court.

The code is described as reinforcing social control, patriarchal norms, and ideological pressure over individual rights. It reportedly imposes strict regulations on women’s movement, relationships, family decision-making, and personal beliefs, while offering limited protection from violence.

The law also introduces severe punishments for apostasy. Under Article 58, women who renounce Islam may face life imprisonment and be flogged 10 times every three days until they repent and return to Islam. A different approach applies to men, who are given up to three days to repent before the possibility of execution.

Earlier, reports indicated that the Taliban interim government was considering granting residence permits to foreign investors.