Taliban authorities have publicly flogged 2,745 people, including hundreds of women, across Afghanistan over the past four years, according to a report released Tuesday by the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization (AHRDO).
The report documents the use of public corporal punishment under Taliban rule, raising renewed concerns over human rights and the treatment of civilians in Afghanistan. According to AHRDO, the reported floggings have taken place across different provinces during the four years since the Taliban returned to power.
The inclusion of hundreds of women among those publicly punished has further drawn attention to concerns over the treatment of women under the Taliban’s justice system.
Public flogging has been used by Taliban authorities as a form of punishment for people convicted or accused of various offenses. Human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized such punishments, arguing that corporal punishment violates fundamental human rights and international standards on humane treatment.
The AHRDO report adds to broader international concerns over the Taliban’s implementation of its interpretation of Islamic law, particularly the use of public corporal punishment and other harsh penalties.
The findings are likely to intensify calls from rights organizations and international observers for greater accountability and protection of fundamental rights in Afghanistan.
The report also highlights the continuing challenges faced by Afghan civilians under the Taliban justice system, where public punishments have remained a visible feature of governance.