Taliban says public and media have no right to criticize the government

KABUL: Following a recent decree by Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban, banning criticism from the public and media about government officials, Mawlavi Abdul Kabir, the Taliban Minister of Refugees and Repatriations, stated that no one will be permitted to speak out against the Taliban government. In a video released by the Taliban-controlled national television, he mentioned during a meeting with tribal elders from Khost, Paktia, and Paktika provinces: “No one is allowed, neither in the mountains, nor in the plains, nor on the streets, to say a word against the Islamic Emirate. If anyone has an issue, address it like a man.” The Taliban leader’s decree warns that criticisms deemed “baseless” and “disconnected from reality” are against Islamic teachings and those who engage in them will be punished. Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan, freedom of expression has been severely suppressed. Many citizens and civil activists express concern about these orders, fearing they cannot raise their voices. A resident of Herat stated: “No one can criticize; anyone who speaks in front of the Taliban gets suppressed or tortured. We have no freedom of expression.” Civil activist Samiullah Sihon emphasized that the Taliban’s actions aim to silence dissenting and rights-seeking voices, and many citizens of Afghanistan are deprived of their most basic human rights. Despite calls from international organizations, including the United Nations, to revoke these orders, the Taliban continues to enforce their leader’s mandates, and domestic media can only report according to government directives.