The United Nations has condemned the use of public executions, floggings, and stoning in Afghanistan, calling on authorities to halt these practices. A United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report shows that 274 men, 58 women, and two boys were publicly flogged in the country during the most recent six months measured. Human rights observers emphasize that such punishments violate universal prohibitions against torture and cruel treatment and violate commitments under international law.
Fiona Fraser, who leads the UN Human Rights Office Mission in Afghanistan, stressed that physical punishment breaches international norms and urged authorities to suspend executions immediately. In response, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry stated that the nation’s laws are shaped by Islamic principles and asserted that international human rights law and Islamic law would be reconciled where possible, while maintaining the government’s obligation to adhere to Islamic law when conflicts arise.
Since the Taliban assumed control nearly two years ago, reports indicate a pattern of corporal punishment in some areas, alongside growing restrictions that limit women’s participation in public life. Observers note that curbs on women’s access to parks, gyms, and other public spaces have been part of broader social changes during this period.
The UNAMA findings recount the first public flogging carried out after the Taliban takeover in October 2021, when a man and a woman were sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery in a highly visible public setting. The report also describes a 2022 incident in which a public execution was carried out in front of hundreds of people in the western province of Farah, with the victim’s death finalized by a family member using a firearm, and officials in attendance. These events illustrate a period of heightened public demonstrations of punishment and governance practices in parts of the country.
In early 2023, Western governments and some regional partners intensified sanctions and diplomatic pressure over human rights concerns, linking the stance on rights protections to broader political and security considerations. Advocates for Afghan women and girls have repeatedly pointed to the impact of these measures on education and civic participation, arguing that restrictions on universities and employment for women limit the country’s development potential. Reports indicate that December 2022 saw universities suspend classes for female students, and that women were barred from working for many national and international non-governmental organizations, further shaping the social landscape for women in Afghanistan. Marked discussions continue around how to balance religious considerations with universal human rights standards, and how international engagement can responsibly support improvements on the ground while respecting local laws and beliefs.