KABUL: The Afghan Women’s Courage Movement has announced that the Taliban’s penal code is imposed, illegitimate, and in clear violation of human rights standards. In a statement, the movement expressed that this penal code contradicts human dignity, international human rights commitments, and the principles of fair trial. The statement highlights that the Taliban’s penal code formalizes structural discrimination against women, religious minorities, and non-Taliban citizens, limiting fundamental freedoms and undermining the principle of equality before the law. The Women’s Movement emphasized that this penal code is also at odds with Islamic values, as Islam rejects any form of oppression and discrimination, emphasizing the intrinsic dignity and equality of all individuals. Furthermore, the statement noted that the Taliban’s penal code is inconsistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The movement has called for the immediate repeal of discriminatory provisions within this penal code and a review of it based on justice. They urged the international community and human rights organizations to intervene to prevent the enforcement of sections of this document that violate human rights.
