DEC7-11152023-B

Cultural Rights, Expression, Press & Censorship
15, November 2023

Decree

Banning publication of political, satirical, and music-related topics in Khost.

Decree Translation

Date: 24/08/1402 The Taliban have warned social media users in Khost that they will be punished if they post political, satirical, or music-related content. Reliable sources on Wednesday, November 24, report that a joint team from the Ministry of Vice and Virtue and the Criminal Investigation Department of the Taliban in Khost has begun the process of tracking, arresting, and punishing social media users.

According to sources, this joint team has warned social media users not to share content that goes against the group's policies or any critical or satirical material. Sources emphasize that the Taliban have warned through their social media pages and loudspeakers throughout the city that violators will be dealt with severely.

Notes on Decree

Although the acts of threats, torture, and oppression by the Taliban on the people are not new, and the Taliban's only agenda seems to be harassing the citizens of the country recently. At the beginning of this week, the Taliban detained a TikTok activist from the Tani district of Khost who had been living abroad. After his return to the province, they arrested him, recorded a video of him, and obtained a written commitment from him to stop his activities on TikTok before releasing him.

Sources

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