The Taliban has reinstated severe forms of punishment in Afghanistan, including public executions and corporal punishment, reflecting a grim continuation of its oppressive regime. Recent reports indicate that in 2025 alone, over 1,000 individuals faced public flogging, with at least 150 of those being women. This represents a significant increase in the use of such punishments since the Taliban regained control of the country in August 2021.
Data released by the Taliban’s Supreme Court highlights that 1,030 people were whipped last year for offenses such as theft and other acts deemed contrary to Islamic law. This figure is nearly double the number from the previous year, suggesting a troubling escalation in the Taliban’s enforcement of their interpretation of Sharia law. Kabul has emerged as the city with the highest rate of these punishments, underscoring the regime’s harsh governance.
Public Executions Mark Return to Brutality
The reintroduction of public executions harks back to the Taliban’s rule prior to the 2001 invasion. One notable case involved a man named Mangal, who was executed in front of a large crowd in Khost. This execution, which occurred in a sports stadium, drew an audience of approximately 80,000 people. Reports indicate that a 13-year-old boy executed Mangal, who had been convicted of murdering 13 members of the boy’s family, including women and children.
The United Nations condemned this execution as “inhuman and cruel,” emphasizing the international community’s concern over the Taliban’s human rights violations. A statement from the Supreme Court on social media platform X detailed how the victim’s family was given the choice of forgiveness or retribution, ultimately opting for the latter. The court noted that prayers were offered at the end of the event, calling for enhanced national security and better access to legitimate rights for the Afghan people.
The Taliban reportedly restricted spectators from bringing mobile phones into the stadium, aiming to prevent the execution from being recorded and disseminated widely.
Surge in Corporal Punishments Under Taliban Rule
The recent execution marks the 11th carried out under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Sharia law, which includes severe penalties for various offenses, such as murder, adultery, and theft. Over the past four years, at least 178 execution orders have been issued under the doctrine of qisas, which allows for retributive justice. Additionally, the data reveals 37 death sentences by stoning and four other executions executed by collapsing walls onto convicted individuals.
The Taliban’s first public execution since returning to power occurred in December 2022, showcasing a renewed commitment to implementing their harsh legal framework. This unsettling trend has drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and the international community, calling for urgent attention to the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan.
As the Taliban continues to tighten its grip on power, the implications for Afghan society and the international response remain critical areas of concern. The stark increase in public punishments serves as a reminder of the regime’s return to a brutal past, raising alarms about the future of civil liberties in the country.
