‘Husbands can beat their wives, as long as no bones are broken…’, this country brought a soul-shattering law.

The new penal code law implemented by the Taliban allows husbands to physically punish their wives and children, provided it does not cause broken bones or serious injury. This 90-page new law has been signed by the organization’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. Before this, the laws applicable for the safety of women have been abolished. According to the new provisions, if a husband causes serious injury or fracture to his wife, he can be jailed for a maximum of 15 days. Punishment is possible only when the woman can prove violence in court. The woman will have to remain completely covered and show her wounds in front of the judge. Also, it is mandatory for her husband or a male guardian to be present with her in the court.

The law also restricts the movement of women. If a married woman goes to meet relatives without her husband’s permission, she can be jailed for up to three months. Article 9 of this penal code divides Afghan society into four classes—religious scholars (ulama), elite class (ashraf), middle class and lower class. In this system, punishment will be decided on the basis of the social status of the accused more than the nature or seriousness of the crime.

Special rules regarding religious scholars

If a religious scholar commits a crime then only advice will be given to him. The member of the elite class will be summoned to the court and given advice. A middle class person may be imprisoned for the same crime. Whereas people of lower class can be given physical punishment along with jail. Corporal punishment for serious crimes would be administered by Islamic religious leaders, not by correctional services. This new law has abolished the Elimination of Violence Against Women Act (EVAW) implemented in 2009, which was implemented by the former government with the support of the US. According to The Independent report, human rights organizations say that people are afraid to speak out against this law, even anonymously, because the Taliban has issued a new order making even discussing this law a crime.

Appeal of Afghan human rights organization

Rawdari, an Afghan human rights organization working in exile, has appealed to the United Nations and other international organizations to take all legal measures to immediately stop the implementation of this criminal procedure code. UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Reem Alsalem, said on the social media platform