Skip to main content Skip to footer 
A woman in Afghanistan’s northern province of Faryab has been publicly flogged by a Taliban court for having an illegitimate relationship and fleeing her home. The Taliban’s Supreme Court confirmed on Monday that the woman was sentenced to 30 lashes and six months in prison.
Under Afghan law, sexual relationships outside of marriage are strictly prohibited, and women who run away from home often face severe punishment. This case highlights the increasing use of corporal punishment since the Taliban’s return to power.
In a separate incident over the weekend, two individuals in Kandahar province were publicly whipped for committing sodomy, both receiving 30 lashes and one-year prison sentences.
Since the Taliban’s takeover, corporal punishments, including public floggings, executions, and other severe penalties, have become common for crimes such as murder, robbery, and adultery. While the United Nations has condemned these actions as violations of the UN Convention against Torture, Taliban officials maintain that such punishments are consistent with Afghan law and are necessary for maintaining public security.
