Page 33 - Afghanistan

19 people lashed in northeast province for adultery, theft: Afghan official

Nineteen people in northeastern Afghanistan were lashed for adultery, theft and running away from home, a Supreme Court official said Sunday. The announcement underscored the Taliban's intention of sticking to their strict interpretation of Islamic law or Sharia. It appeared to be the first official confirmation that lashings and floggings are being meted out in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in August 2021. During their previous rule in the late 1990s, the group carried out public executions, floggings and stoning of those convicted of crimes in Taliban courts. After they overran Afghanistan last year, the Taliban initially promised to be more moderate and allow for women's and minority rights. Instead, they have restricted rights and freedoms, including a ban on girl's education beyond the sixth grade. On Thursday, a Taliban spokesman said they are committed to implementing all Sharia laws. A Supreme Court official, Abdul Rahim Rashid, said 10 men and nine women were

India voices concern over humanitarian situation in Afghanistan at UNSC

India on Thursday voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, as it reaffirmed its unwavering commitment towards helping the people of the war-torn country

Afghan Taliban group will continue to stick to strict Islamic law: Official

The Taliban will stick to their strict interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, a spokesman said on Thursday, underscoring the group's intention to continue hard-line policies implemented since they took over the country more than a year ago. During their previous years in power in the late 1990s, the Taliban carried out public executions, floggings, and stoning of those convicted of crimes in Taliban courts. After they overran Afghanistan in August 2021 as American and NATO forces were in the last weeks of their pullout from the country after 20 years of war, the Taliban initially promised to be more moderate and allow for women's and minority rights. Instead, they have cracked down heavier on rights and freedoms. Women are banned from parks, funfairs, gyms, and most forms of employment. They are ordered to cover themselves from head to toe. Girls are forbidden from going to school beyond sixth grade. There are also clampdowns on music and the media. According to Taliban spokes

India attends Moscow format of talks on Afghanistan to eradicate terrorism

India and several other countries on Wednesday called for creating a "truly inclusive" government in Kabul and eradicating terrorism from Afghan soil during their deliberations on the situation in that country under the Moscow format of consultations. The Russian foreign ministry said the fourth meeting under the framework of the Moscow format of talks was attended by special representatives and senior officials from Russia, India, China, Pakistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Russian foreign ministry said the participants expressed a consolidated demand for the "complete unfreezing" of Afghanistan's assets by Washington. "They resolutely urged the United States and other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) countries that were part of the 20-year-long military presence in Afghanistan, to compensate the Afghans for the damage done during this period," it said. It said representatives of Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were

UN voices concern over reports of further curbs on rights of Afghan women

aliban prohibited Afghan women from visiting all public parks in the country. Taliban spokesperson said they have also banned women's public bathhouses as they are contrary to the sharia law.

Pak-Afghan border shut for 2nd day as unprovoked firing escalates tension

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border remained closed for the second consecutive day as tensions ran high between the two countries after unprovoked firing

Taliban leader orders Islamic Sharia law punishments across Afghanistan

"Carefully examine the files of thieves, kidnappers and seditionists," Mujahid quoted the Taliban leader as saying.

EU condemns fresh Taliban restrictions on women in public parks, gyms

The European Union has condemned the additional restrictions on women's freedom of movement, including the rules that barred women from entering public parks and gyms

Taliban supreme leader orders judges for full enforcement of Islamic law

Taliban supreme leader Mawlawi Hebatullah Akhundzada's directive came amid a growing concern over the human rights situation in Afghanistan

Afghanistan govt has in principle agreed to resume women's cricket: ICC

The ICC on Sunday said the Afghanistan government supports the world body's constitution and has "in principle" agreed to resuming women's cricket in the country. Afghanistan cricket, especially the women's game, had plunged into uncertainty last year due to the drastic changes in the political landscape following the takeover of the country by the Taliban. There were reports that Afghan women, including the country's women's cricket team, were banned from playing sport under the Taliban administration. The ICC had then set up a Working Group to review the status of cricket in the country. The Board received an update from the Afghanistan Working Group detailing a recent meeting with a representative of the Afghanistan government and the Afghanistan Cricket Board in Doha. The government official reiterated their commitment to fully respect and comply with the ICC constitution, in particular the need for diversity and inclusivity and for the ACB to operate independent from governme

Harsh winter awaits displaced families in Ukraine, Afghanistan: UNHCR

Many displaced families will have no option but to choose between food and warmth as they struggle to heat their shelters, source warm clothing, and cook hot meals, according to UNHCR.

Taliban violating human rights, plunging economy to 'dire' conditions: UN

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution Thursday accusing the Taliban of violating the human rights of Afghan women and girls, failing to establish a representative government, and plunging the country into dire economic, humanitarian and social conditions. The resolution also pointed to persistent violence in the country since the Taliban takeover 15 months ago and the presence of terrorist groups such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State and their affiliates as well as the presence of foreign terrorist fighters. Germany's U.N. ambassador, Antje Leendertse, had hoped the 193-member General Assembly would approve the German-facilitated resolution by consensus. But a vote was requested and it was adopted 116-0, with 10 countries abstaining Russia, China, Belarus, Burundi, North Korea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Nicaragua, Pakistan and Zimbabwe. Sixty-seven countries did not vote. General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, unlike Security Council resolutions, but they do refle

Concerned at unfolding humanitarian situation in Afghanistan: India at UN

The envoy highlighted that India is closely monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan, and on issues related to Afghanistan, it is actively engaged with the international community

UK donates $28 mn in emergency funds to Afghanistan amid fragile economy

Economists believe that humanitarian aid is useful for the country's citizens in the short term, but it has not decreased poverty in the country, according to Tolo News.

Media under threat in Afghanistan, crimes against journalists continue: UN

'Human rights abuses of more than 200 reporters in Afghanistan recorded by UNAMA since August 2021. Record high numbers include arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation'

Pakistan, China to extend CPEC to Afghanistan despite India's opposition

India has consistently opposed the USD 60 billion project, which links Pakistan's southern Gwadar port in Balochistan to China's western Xinjiang and passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Afghan women stage protests in Kabul over concerns on female employment

The women protesters called on the Taliban to work for women and to allow girls above grade six to learn as the organization's rule has only added to the poverty in the country

Taliban deny entry of female students in campus for not wearing Burqa

The Afghan girls were forced to remain outside the entry gate as the students were not following the norms of the Taliban's preferred attires, Khaama Press reported.

UN assists more than 4.6 million people in Afghanistan amid reeling crisis

As the economic crisis continues to grip Afghanistan, more than 4.6 million people in the war-torn country have been provided assistance, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees said

Afghans' lives have become 'unbearably hard' due to rise in poverty: WFP

Taliban rule in Afghanistan has escalated levels of poverty and unemployment in the war-ravaged country resulting in the lives of Afghans becoming "unbearably hard," said WFP in a statement.