Taliban introduce ‘vice and virtue law’, But what is it exactly?
The most frequently criticised rule states that a woman's voice should not be raised outside the home, and that she should not sing or recite poetry aloud.
The Taliban government has introduced its new “vice and virtue law”. This law basically codifies their stringent norms for Afghan society, imposing strict rules based on their interpretation of Islam to promote virtue and prevent vice.
In recent days, there has been evidence of Taliban morality police upholding the law and Afghans self-policing to avoid clashes with officials. Other components, however, have yet to be enforced, and Taliban officials have already been cracking down on activity they consider un-Islamic since regaining control three years ago.
‘Vice and Virtue Law’
The text includes 35 articles. The most frequently criticised rule states that a woman’s voice should not be raised outside the home, and that she should not sing or recite poetry aloud. On the other hand, Unrelated men and women are barred from staring at one other, and women are required to completely cover themselves in front of non-Muslim women. Men are required to grow beards longer than a fist, wear loose-fitting garments, and cover their bodies between the navel and the knee. Sodomy is prohibited “even with one’s own wife”.
The media has been prohibited from ridiculing or degrading Islam. Transportation companies have been instructed to adjust schedules to accommodate prayer hours, and Muslims have been advised not to befriend or assist non-Muslims. Some traditional games have also been prohibited, as it involves taking or viewing photographs of living beings on computers or smartphones. Disobedience to parents has also been prohibited.
Increased Surveillance
Since the ordinance was announced on August 21, the AFP has received reports of increased surveillance by Taliban authorities. The Morality Police from the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice are in charge of enforcement. Patrol teams in Kabul have issued warnings to women going without a male “mahram” chaperone and with some of their hair or hands exposed.
A 23-year-old Kabul man stated that he was stopped three times. “They asked why I didn’t have a beard. I was afraid, but I promised them I would grow one,” he told AFP.
In order to comply with the new regulation, all employees of a Kabul bank have switched from western to traditional attire. This week, however, women’s voices were still heard on television and radio stations.
Another day under the Taliban
Since the withdrawal of US-led troops in 2021, the Taliban leadership has periodically proclaimed social restrictions, with a focus on separating men and women. Many of the earlier instructions overlapped with the new statute and were already in effect.
Girls have long been barred from secondary school, and women from university. Previously, women travelling were required to be chaperoned by a family member and to cover their entire body in public. Prayer at specific hours has been declared obligatory, while public music and gambling have been prohibited.
Most public spaces currently mandate gender segregation. Adultery, homosexuality, and drug addiction have all been formerly prohibited. However, the new document is the most complete manifesto of the Taliban’s vision for society since their return, and it defines the graduated punishments that morality police can administer. They range from verbal warnings to threats, penalties, and detentions of various duration.
Many things remain unanswered in the law announced by the highly opaque Taliban regime. It states that women should only leave the house if they have a “urgent need,” but does not specify which scenarios are considered urgent.
With friendship and help to non-Muslims prohibited, it is unclear whether Afghans are barred from working with international agencies, which are a vital source of income for the economically struggling country.
It may also imply that the Taliban government is prohibited from interacting with Western nations, further reinforcing its pariah position. It’s also unclear how media on phones and television will be policed.
Perhaps the most important question is how the new vice and virtue law will be enforced consistently and rigorously.
According to a United Nations study issued in July, there were “ambiguities and inconsistencies” about morality standards and their enforcement prior to the new law.
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