KABUL – 13 April: Taliban leader defends public executions in a newly released speech, calling them an essential part of Islamic law. Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada rejected Western criticism following the execution of four people in public, saying such punishments are divinely mandated under Sharia.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid shared a 45-minute audio message from Akhundzada on social media. The speech was delivered in Kandahar during a seminar for Hajj instructors. Akhundzada said Islam includes not only prayer but also punishment. He stressed that the Taliban did not fight for power but to implement Islamic law.
Akhundzada declared that public punishments are God’s order and not negotiable. He said there is no need for Western laws in Afghanistan. His comments follow the execution of four people in public last week.
The Taliban public executions drew sharp responses from international bodies. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called them a clear human rights violation. It urged an immediate end to the death penalty. The UN Human Rights Office also voiced concern, saying the acts violate human dignity and the right to life.
Human Rights Watch condemned the executions as disturbing. Researcher Farisha Abbasi said they highlight the urgent need for accountability. She urged the UN to establish an independent body to investigate such actions. According to Abbasi, public punishments are used to enforce fear. This is not the first time the Taliban leader has defended public executions, a stance that continues to draw global condemnation and may further isolate Afghanistan on the world stage.
This story is based on reports from DW and other sources, with a link to the original report [here].
Disclaimer: This news report is based on verified reports from DW and other sources. All information was accurate at the time of publication.
