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Decree Archive

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Type of Decree
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Taliban Leader Order

An authoritative command issued directly by the Amir al-Mu’minin (Leader of the Taliban), often in the form of a legislative or executive order. These are legally binding and apply broadly across the regime. They can be written or verbal.

Official Decree (Written or Verbal)

An official decree is a formal and binding statement issued by high-ranking leaders or institutions within the Taliban regime, including the Amir al-Mu’minin. These decrees outline specific legal, political, or social mandates and must be implemented without exception. They may be delivered in writing or verbally—including through meetings, sermons, official statements, or media communications. Verbal decrees, while unwritten, carry the same legal authority as written ones and are considered binding across all Taliban institutions, which are obligated to carry them out through formal and administrative action. A key distinction between a decree and an order lies in scope: a decree enforces a specific issue, while an order tends to address broader or general matters. Both are legally obligatory.

Written Directive

A published document outlining the Taliban regime's stance on significant matters, such as international relations and domestic policy. Officially communicated and issued by the leader of the Taliban or through Taliban representatives and institutions through formal media and authorized channels. For instance, the official statement of the Islamic Emirate rejecting the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights regarding the situation of women.

Verbal Directive

A verbal directive or instruction from Taliban leadership or senior officials, typically communicated in meetings or speeches without written documentation. These are binding despite the lack of formal record. These directives are typically communicated through meetings, speeches, telephone conversations, or quotations attributed to high-ranking Taliban figures

Written Order

A general legal order from the Taliban leader regarding the implementation of a general matter. These orders are binding, applicable for defined or open-ended periods, and must be enforced throughout the regime.

Verbal Order

An oral order issued by the Taliban leader or officials concerning the implementation of either a specific or general matter. These orders are considered legally enforceable and must be followed.

Enforcement Action

An Enforcement Action refers to the implementation or carrying out of Taliban decrees, directives, or orders. These actions reflect how the regime enforces its laws in practice and may include public punishments, arrests, detentions, or administrative measures taken against individuals or groups. This category includes official announcements of punishments issued by the Taliban Supreme Court, as well as reports of enforcement carried out by Taliban soldiers, police, or local authorities. These actions demonstrate how legal directives are applied on the ground and provide insight into the regime’s mechanisms of control and discipline.

Draft Bill

A proposed law or legal reform circulated by Taliban authorities and institutions before final approval or implementation. Often used to signal upcoming legal changes or policy directions. This form of communication is typically conveyed through mass media. Examples include a press release announcing the suspension of a media outlet’s activities or a public notice mandating compliance with the school uniform policy by students.

Media Statement

A formal message or response from Taliban officials provided directly to media outlets to clarify a position, policy, or action. Examples could include a press release announcing the suspension of a media outlet’s activities or a public notice mandating compliance with the school uniform policy by students.

Official Gazette

A published record of official decrees, orders, or legal decisions issued by the regime, used for formal documentation and legal reference.

Official Letter

A written communication issued by the ministries and administrative bodies of the Emirate, based on formal or informal commands from the leader of the Taliban or as determined necessary by the leadership of relevant departments. These letters contain official instructions or orders related to the execution, regulation, or prohibition of specific matters and are typically used for local enforcement or administrative implementation.

Official Notice

A brief formal communication announcing changes in rules or expectations, typically posted in public places or distributed to institutions like schools or mosques.

Social Media

A platform used by Taliban spokespersons or institutions to announce, justify, or promote decisions and decrees, including channels like Twitter or WhatsApp.

Survivor Testimony

A personal public account from individuals affected by Taliban decrees or punishments, often used as secondary documentation when primary sources are unavailable.

Fatwa (Mosque Announcement/Fatwa)

A method of official communication used by Taliban-aligned clerics and institutions of the Emirate regime to disseminate religious rulings or interpretations based on Islamic law. These are often delivered during mosque sermons, religious gatherings, or public events and may reflect decisions, policies, or enforcement directives issued by the leadership. This form of communication is typically conveyed through oral announcements but may also be shared via media. Fatwas serve as authoritative guidance and are considered binding under Taliban rule.

Official Announcement

A formal public statement issued by Taliban institutions to communicate new decisions, rules, or enforcement actions—often disseminated via radio, television, or newspapers.

Official Guide

A detailed instructional document produced by Taliban institutions outlining how a particular law, decree, or religious rule should be interpreted or applied in practice.

Official Meeting

A closed or semi-public gathering in which Taliban officials convey directives, discuss enforcement, or issue verbal orders to subordinates or community leaders.

Phone Call

An informal but authoritative communication channel used by Taliban officials to issue direct instructions or relay enforcement demands in real-time.

Speech

An address by Taliban leaders or officials—often during religious or political events—that conveys binding directives, ideological messages, or policy announcements.

UN Letter

A communication between the United Nations and the Taliban, often documenting international concerns, violations, or requests—sometimes included as evidence in lieu of original decrees.

Media Report

An external journalistic account of Taliban activity, decree enforcement, or policy, often based on public statements, observed events, or leaked information.

Official Declaration

A formal pronouncement made by Taliban ministries or leadership to declare policy positions or enforce actions, typically with legal or social implications.

Official Inquiry

A formal investigation or fact-finding mission initiated by the Taliban regime, sometimes resulting in follow-up enforcement or legal action.

Official Newsletter

A recurring publication from Taliban institutions summarizing recent actions, decrees, or enforcement policies for internal distribution or public awareness.

Press/News Conference

A public event during which Taliban officials speak to media representatives, announce new policies, or answer questions related to governance and law.

Supreme Court Newsletter

A bulletin issued by the Taliban’s Supreme Court containing legal interpretations, announcements of verdicts, and summaries of judicial enforcement actions.

Video Clip

A recorded video—often shared by the Taliban or captured by media—documenting a speech, enforcement action, or declaration, used as a form of indirect evidence or verification.

Filters

Area of Decree

  • Arbitrary Punishment
  • Assembly & Association
  • Cultural Rights
  • Disability Rights
  • Education
  • Expression
  • Family & Privacy Rights
  • Forced Marriage
  • Freedom of Movement
  • Gender Equality
  • Health
  • Justice & Fair Trial
  • LGBTQ+
  • Liberty & Security
  • Minority Rights
  • Non-Discrimination
  • Participation in Public Life
  • Personal Autonomy
  • Press & Censorship
  • PVPV
  • Religion & Belief
  • Torture & Ill-Treatment
  • Work & Livelihoods

Type of Decree

  • Enforcement Action
  • Official Decree
  • Taliban Leader Order
  • Verbal Decree
  • Verbal Directive
  • Verbal Order
  • Written Decree
  • Written Directive
  • Written Order

Delivery Methods

  • Draft Bill
  • Fatwa
  • Media Report
  • Media Statement
  • Official Announcement
  • Official Declaration
  • Official Gazette
  • Official Guide
  • Official Inquiry
  • Official Letter
  • Official Meeting
  • Official Notice
  • Phone Call
  • Press/News Conference
  • Speech
  • Supreme Court Newsletter
  • Survivor Testimony
  • UN Letter
  • Video Clip

Date

  • 2021
  • 2022
  • 2023
  • 2024

Targeted Gender

  • Both
  • Men
  • Women

Original Source

  • Yes

DEC12-07312024-19

Article 27 of PVPV Law requires overseers to ensure timely prisoner release and access to religious obligations.

DEC12-07312024-2

Taliban codifies nationwide morality law - the Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice - granting sweeping powers to religious police...

DEC12-07312024-20

Article 28 of PVPV Law mandates community-wide enforcement of Taliban-defined morality through schools and religious leaders.

DEC12-07312024-21

PVPV Law mandates ideological training, supervision and reporting systems to the Supreme Leader to ensure strict enforcement of moral regulations and suppress dissent under...

DEC12-07312024-22

PVPC law centralizes final authority over morality enforcement with the Supreme Leader and invalidates all conflicting legislation, Articles 32-35, Law of Promotion of Virtue...

DEC12-07312024-3

Articles 1-3 of PVPV Law formally establishes a religious enforcement regime under Taliban leadership, defining virtue and vice by Hanafi Sharia and empowering officials...

DEC12-07312024-4

Articles 4-8 of PVPV Law mandates moral regulation for all people in Afghanistan under Hanafi jurisprudence, granting the Ministry exclusive power to enforce religious...

DEC12-07312024-5

Articles 9-12 PVPV of Law empowers state-appointed overseers to enforce moral codes through public surveillance and non-judicial interventions.

DEC12-07312024-6

Article 13 of PVPV Law enforces full-body covering, bans public female speech, and restricts women's visibility and movement.

DEC12-07312024-7

Article 14 of PVPV Law imposes religious dress codes on men, limiting personal autonomy and expression.

DEC12-07312024-8

Article 15 of PVPV Law mandates state enforcement of dress codes, eroding bodily autonomy and religious freedom.

DEC12-07312024-9

Article 16 of PVPV Law criminalizes perceived disrespect toward Islamic figures, suppressing religious diversity and dissent.

DEC12-09092024

Taliban Interior Ministry Spokesman denounces human rights as “shameful slogan” in September 9 social media statement.

DEC12-10262024

Taliban confirms ban on singing and bans women from reciting Quran aloud even in presence of other women under new verbal religious restriction, under...

DEC2-01252023

Female professors and employees at Kabul University have been allowed to visit once a month to personally sign in and collect their salaries and...

DEC2-01302021

The elimination of the Gender Directorate from the structure of the Taliban Ministry of Energy and Water.

DEC2-02222023

The closure of four medical dental centers managed by female doctors in Ghazni.

DEC2-02282024

Mandatory hijab and threats to ban women from working in the media.

DEC2-04042023

The extension of the ban on women working in Afghanistan's United Nations organizations.

DEC2-05172022

Dismissal of three female professors from badakhshan University.