Taliban’s Morality Police Granted Sweeping Powers For Arbitrary Detentions, Says UN

The directive, effective as of 10 April 2025, stems from a decree by the group’s supreme leader and applies to both state-run and private media outlets in the province.

A formal letter obtained by Afghanistan International, issued during a recent provincial administrative meeting, confirms the restriction. “All state and non-state institutions in Jowzjan province are obligated to refrain from taking photographs or filming events, gatherings, and consultations involving living beings,” the document reads. “Publishing such content constitutes a major sin.”

The head of the virtue directorate in Jowzjan emphasised that the order is non-negotiable, citing strict adherence to the supreme leader’s decree. While the ban initially targets government-affiliated media, officials warned that private outlets will soon face the same restrictions, pending further guidance from Taliban leadership in Kabul.

This development follows a pattern of escalating media controls. On 28 March, similar prohibitions were introduced in provinces including Kandahar, Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, and Nimroz. The Afghanistan Journalists Center reports that as of late March, outlets in at least 10 provinces were already operating under comparable rules. Media watchdog Free Speech Hub has raised concerns that these measures could foreshadow a nationwide ban on all visual depictions of living beings.

The restrictions are rooted in the Taliban’s "Promotion of Virtue Law," enacted in 2024. Article 17 of the legislation explicitly forbids photographing or distributing images of living beings, reflecting the group’s austere interpretation of Islamic principles. Critics argue the policy severely undermines press freedom and access to information in Afghanistan.

Local sources indicate that enforcement in Jowzjan began immediately, with both media organisations and government bodies adjusting operations to comply. The move marks yet another step in the Taliban’s broader campaign to reshape public life since reclaiming power in 2021.

The incident occurred on April 10, 2025, in the provincial capital, a key stronghold of the group’s leadership.

According to a statement from the Taliban police command’s press office, the explosion took place while the four injured fighters were guarding the container. The statement provided no further details on the nature of the ammunition or the extent of the injuries.

Local sources told Afghanistan International that the blast occurred around 6 a.m. local time near Aino Mina township, a residential area in central Kandahar’s fifth district, adjacent to the police headquarters. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire following the explosion, with videos showing plumes of smoke rising from the site and the sound of heavy shooting in the vicinity.

One local source indicated the explosion originated within the Taliban’s "reform commission" at the police headquarters, though the Taliban statement did not confirm this. Residents also observed ambulances rushing to the scene in the aftermath.

Kandahar serves as the primary base for Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who is known to reside intermittently in Aino Mina, a luxurious township that houses several senior Taliban officials. Reports suggest Akhundzada frequently stays at a guesthouse once used by Gen. Abdul Raziq, a prominent police commander under Afghanistan’s previous government.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, and the Taliban has not indicated whether it suspects foul play. Local accounts and footage shared with Afghanistan International underscore the intensity of the incident, which rattled the city early Thursday morning.

According to the sources, Haqqani’s attendance at the meeting was made possible through the mediation of Defence Minister Mohammad Yaqub Mujahid and Taliban intelligence chief Abdulhaq Wasiq. The Taliban leader reportedly rejected a proposal from Haqqani to establish a new appointments commission.

Roughly two weeks ago, senior Taliban officials, including Yaqub Mujahid and Wasiq, met with Akhundzada in Kandahar. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had previously confirmed that Haqqani was also present at the security-focused gathering and had delivered a direct report to the leader.

However, sources now indicate that Haqqani’s participation was reluctant and arranged through the mediation efforts of Mujahid and Wasiq. Prior to this, Haqqani had been absent from Taliban leadership meetings for an extended period, reportedly missing all sessions involving Akhundzada over the previous two months.

In the meeting, Haqqani proposed the formation of a joint commission headed by himself, Yaqub Mujahid, and Wasiq—a suggestion that was ultimately dismissed by Akhundzada. Long-standing internal disagreements within the Taliban leadership, particularly regarding the formation of an inclusive government and women’s rights, remain unresolved.

During the discussions, Akhundzada reportedly made his stance clear, stating, “There will be no negotiation on anything. This is my decision. I am the Amir, and my word must be accepted.”

Sources confirmed that the meeting between Haqqani and Akhundzada took place on the night of Friday, 28 March, with the aim of addressing ongoing misunderstandings within the group’s leadership. They added that Abdulhaq Wasiq has been engaged in long-term efforts to mediate between Haqqani and the Taliban supreme leader.

The discussions centred on key areas, including Iranian investment in Afghanistan’s mining sector, streamlining customs procedures, enhancing trade, and resolving existing obstacles. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to enacting the 92-article economic agreement in full, with plans for ongoing joint meetings to ensure its execution.

The Taliban’s office highlighted a “significant increase” in trade with Iran since the agreement was signed. Official trade between the two nations is currently valued at approximately $4 billion, making Iran the largest trading partner of Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

The meeting builds on prior engagements, including a November 2023 visit by Taliban officials to Tehran, where five documents were exchanged. These covered economic cooperation and international road transport, among other areas.

In a related development, the Governor of Iran’s South Khorasan Province recently announced initiatives to deepen trade and economic ties. As part of these efforts, an Iranian consulate will be established in Farah, while a Taliban consulate will open in Birjand.

The punishments, which included between 25 and 39 lashes, were accompanied by prison sentences ranging from one to three and a half years.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Taliban’s criminal court in Sar-e Pol announced that a woman received 39 lashes and a one-year prison term for suspected “illicit relations.” The flogging was carried out in a public setting.

In a separate announcement, the judiciary reported that its primary court in Jalrez district, Maidan Wardak province, sentenced four men to 25 lashes each for alleged theft. Two of the men were also handed three-and-a-half-year prison sentences, while the other two received terms of two years and eight months. The floggings took place publicly.

According to the Taliban Supreme Court, the punishments were administered in the presence of local officials, government employees, court visitors, and members of the public.

Despite widespread international criticism of corporal punishment and accusations of torture, the Taliban continues to employ public lashings as a means of enforcement and intimidation.

The group’s Supreme Court provided no details on the judicial process, including whether the accused were granted access to legal representation. International human rights organisations have repeatedly raised concerns over the absence of fair and transparent legal proceedings under Taliban governance.