Date: 29/07/1403

Implementation of Discretionary Criminal Sentences Against Two Defendants in Takhar Province

Based on the ruling of the Primary Court of Farkhar District, discretionary criminal sentences were executed today, Sunday, 17/04/1446 Hijri Qamari, in public against two individuals including one woman who were convicted of adultery. The Primary Court had sentenced both defendants to 39 lashes each as discretionary punishment. This ruling was implemented following its approval by the Supreme Court.

The public flogging of two individuals in Takhar Province constitutes the imposition of cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment under international law. The enforcement of corporal punishment for alleged private conduct, carried out publicly and within Taliban judicial structures that lack independence and due process guarantees, reflects the use of physical punishment as a mechanism of moral enforcement. The inclusion of a woman among those punished raises concerns of discriminatory application of morality laws and heightened exposure of women to public humiliation and violence.