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Decree Archive

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Type of Decree
Delivery Method

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
  • Report
  • Taliban Leader Order
  • Verbal Decree
  • Verbal Directive
  • Verbal Order
  • Written Decree
  • Written Directive
  • Written Order

Delivery Methods

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

Targeted Gender

  • Both
  • Men
  • Women

Original Source

  • No
  • Yes

DEC7-08312025

The Taliban arrested three citizens for publishing critical content of the Taliban.

DEC2-08282025

The Taliban have directed local community leaders to report any secretly operating women’s beauty salons in Kabul.

DEC3-08272025

Taliban authorities publicly flogged and imprisoned two individuals, including one woman, for illicit relations in Jawzjan province.

DEC1-08262025-A

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, described the issue of girls’ education as ‘a minor matter' when discussing the Taliban's 5 year national strategy.

DEC2-08262025

The Taliban have closed women’s goods stores in Khost province.

DEC1-08262025-B

The Taliban have banned the teaching of 679 books in public and private universities.

DEC1-08252025

The Taliban have removed 18 subjects from university curricula and permitted 201 others to be taught only after mandatory ideological revision.

DEC3-08252025

Taliban authorities publicly flogged and imprisoned twelve individuals, including two women, for morality and drug-related offenses in Parwan province.

DEC3-08232025

Taliban authorities in Faryab publicly carried out imprisonment and flogging sentences against two individuals accused of theft.

DEC3-08222025

The Taliban executed a man by firing squad in Herat province and displayed his body in the city.

DEC12-08222025

Taliban morality police detained several women in Kabul and reportedly demanded payment from their families for their release.

DEC1-08202025

The Taliban have banned the education of women and girls in religious schools.

DEC3-08172025

Taliban authorities in Kapisa carried out imprisonment and flogging against an individual convicted of illicit relations.

DEC2-08062025

Taliban raided women’s beauty salons and arrested female beauticians in Kabul.

DEC9-07282025

Taliban morality authorities in Kandahar imposed new rules requiring female employees to obtain a “mahram card” and be accompanied by a male guardian at...

DEC3-07242025

Taliban authorities in Balkh publicly carried out a flogging sentence against a woman convicted of engaging in an illicit relationship.

DEC12-07212025

Taliban forces carried out a widespread wave of arrests and disappearances of women and girls across Kabul, citing hijab enforcement and transferring detainees to...

DEC7-07202025

Taliban expand the ban of broadcasting of living images in Sar-e-Pul province, reportedly reaching 20 provinces.

DEC3-07202025

A teacher in Paktika was sentenced to death by Taliban courts following a closed trial without legal representation, family access, or due process.

DEC8-07192025

Taliban morality police reportedly detained around one hundred young women in Kabul during a hijab enforcement operation.

DEC12-07192025-A

Taliban inspected hospital security cameras and conducted street surveillance in Kabul to enforce hijab compliance, leading to the detention of women and girls.

DEC12-07192025-B

Taliban disrupted university graduation ceremony in Faryab, beating and arresting students for wearing neckties and barring professors from attending.

DEC4-07182025

Reports indicate that Taliban authorities carried out mass arrests of women and girls in Kabul and transferred them to detention facilities.

DEC11-07172025

Taliban courts in Sar-e-Pul publicly flogged 18 individuals, including five women, alongside prison sentences for morality- and criminal-related charges.

DEC2-07082025

The Taliban order collection of zakat (taxes) from the people in Paktika without providing any public services.

DEC12-07082025

Taliban shut down men’s barbershops in a Kabul neighborhood for shaving beards and cutting hair deemed “Western".

DEC3-07082025

Taliban authorities in Faryab publicly carried out imprisonment and flogging against an individual convicted of transporting alcoholic beverages.

DEC4-06252025

University entrance exam candidates in Mazar-i-Sharif reported that Kankor exam materials were provided only in Pashto, raising concerns of discrimination against Dari-speaking students.

DEC3-06242025

Taliban authorities in Faryab publicly carried out imprisonment and flogging against an individual accused of claiming to represent Imam Mahdi and undermining the Islamic...

DEC3-06232025

Taliban authorities in Jawzjan publicly carried out imprisonment and flogging sentences against two women convicted of illicit relations and fleeing from home.