RASC News Agency: The Taliban have reportedly flogged eight individuals in Paktia province on charges of theft, murder, kidnapping, and illicit relationships. According to a statement issued by the Supreme Court under Taliban control, each accused person received 39 lashes and was sentenced to prison terms ranging from two to ten years. The statement further disclosed that the flogging was conducted in the presence of local judicial authorities and several officials from the Taliban’s provincial administration in Paktia. The group asserts that the punishments were executed following confirmation by their Supreme Court.
Over the past two months, the Taliban have subjected 153 individuals, including 22 women, to public corporal punishment in various provinces for alleged offenses. These actions have drawn widespread condemnation from domestic and international human rights organizations, which describe such punishments as grave violations of human rights and human dignity. Human rights groups argue that many of those punished were convicted without due process, with trials often lacking credible evidence or legal representation. This has intensified calls for the immediate cessation of such practices, which undermine the fundamental principles of justice.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department recently stated that the United States maintains “constructive engagement” with the Taliban, citing the group’s alignment with American interests. Critics contend that financial and political support from Western powers, particularly the U.S., emboldens the Taliban to disregard human rights organizations and dismiss the suffering of the Afghanistani people. The Taliban’s continued use of public punishments not only highlights their authoritarian governance but also raises serious questions about international complicity in enabling their actions. While the group claims to uphold justice, their brutal and archaic methods reflect a profound disregard for accountability and the rule of law.
