Afghanistan
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- theocracy
- CONSTITUTION
- new, signed on January 16, 2004 (based on the one from 1964); suspended by the Taliban in 2021
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- the Taliban are applying their interpretation of Islamic law, which is partly based on the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- the Taliban government has not announced the formation of a legislative body
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court and many provincial courts, religious courts and specialized courts
RELIGIONS
Muslim 99.7% (Sunnis 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%), other <0.3% (2009 est.)
From the country
NOVEMBER 21, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTYAFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN PUBLICLY FLOG THREE INDIVIDUALS IN SAMANGAN PROVINCE
Taliban publicly flogged three individuals in a stadium in Khulm district of the central province of Samangan, according to a statement released on November 21, 2024 by the Taliban’s Supreme Court.
NOVEMBER 14, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTYAFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN PUBLICLY EXECUTE MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER
The Taliban authorities publicly executed a man accused of murder in Paktia province, eastern Afghanistan, on November 13, 2024, marking the sixth public execution since their return to power in the country.
NOVEMBER 13, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTYAFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN PUBLICLY FLOGS MAN IN GHAZNI
The Taliban on November 11, 2024 publicly flogged a man in Ghazni province, southeastern Afghanistan, on charges of “moral corruption.”
- NOVEMBER 6, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN PUBLICLY FLOGS TWO PEOPLE IN PARWAN
The Taliban publicly flogged a man and a woman for “adultery” in Parwan province, eastern Afghanistan, the Taliban Supreme Court announced on November 5, 2024.
NOVEMBER 5, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTYAFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN PUBLICLY FLOGS 27 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING 5 WOMEN, IN MULTIPLE PROVINCES
The Taliban carried out November 5, 2024 public floggings of 27 individuals, including 5 women, in the provinces of Jowzjan, Kabul, Paktika, and Maidan Wardak.
- OCTOBER 16, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: HUNDREDS AWAIT EXECUTION IN TALIBAN PRISONS AS WORLD MARKS DAY AGAINST DEATH PENALTY
As the world observes the World Day Against the Death Penalty on October 10, reports indicate that hundreds of inmates in Taliban-controlled prisons in Afghanistan are awaiting execution.
- OCTOBER 15, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
TALIBAN PUBLICLY FLOG EIGHT PEOPLE IN EASTERN AFGHANISTAN
Taliban publicly flogged eight individuals, including a woman, in the eastern province of Kunar on October 13, 2024.
- JUNE 4, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN PUBLICLY FLOGS 30 INDIVIDUALS, INCLUDING A WOMAN, IN THE PAST FOUR DAYS
The Taliban has publicly flogged 30 individuals, including a woman, on multiple charges in the provinces of Ghor, Paktika, Ghazni, Khost, and Kunduz in the last four days, kabulnow.com reported on June 4, 2024.
- MARCH 31, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: TALIBAN VOWS TO PUBLICLY STONE WOMEN TO DEATH FOR ADULTERY'
In a bold statement addressing Western democracies, the Taliban's supreme leader reaffirmed the group's harsh policies towards women, specifically the punishment for adultery.
- FEBRUARY 26, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: THE TALIBAN HOLD ANOTHER PUBLIC EXECUTION AS THOUSANDS WATCH AT A STADIUM
The Taliban held a public execution on February 26, 2024 of a man convicted of murder in northern Afghanistan as thousands watched at a sports stadium, the third such death sentence to be carried out in the past five days.
- FEBRUARY 22, 2024AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: THE TALIBAN CARRY OUT A DOUBLE PUBLIC EXECUTION AT A STADIUM
The Taliban carried out a double public execution at a stadium in southeastern Afghanistan on February 22, 2024 as thousands watched the killing of two convicted men as their victims’ relatives fired the gunshot.
- SEPTEMBER 17, 2023AfghanistanDEATH PENALTY
AFGHANISTAN: COURT HANDS DOWN FLOGGING PUNISHMENT FOR NINE CONVICTS
Nine people were flogged in an Afghan Taliban-ruled court on September 17, 2023.