Two videos circulating on social media have raised concerns over the alleged physical abuse of children in Afghanistan.
One video, shared by local sources, appears to show two Taliban fighters in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar beating a child. Sources who provided the video said the child was accused of smuggling goods to Pakistan.
The video also appears to show other children sitting in a line nearby. According to the sources, the children were waiting to be questioned or beaten.
In another video said to have been recorded in Takhar province, a child appears to be beaten by an individual whom the child addresses as “Qari Sahib.” The footage appears to show the individual striking the child with a cable and kicking him while the child cries and asks him to stop.
The videos have drawn criticism on social media, with users condemning violence against children and calling for greater protection of children in educational and religious institutions.
The footage has not been independently verified, and the identities of the individuals shown cannot be confirmed from the videos alone.
The incidents have also renewed discussion about the treatment of children in Afghanistan and concerns over the use of physical punishment.