HRW slams 'ruthless' Taliban govt as new law bans protest

Human Rights Watch condemned on Thursday the Taliban government's "ruthless effort to suppress all dissent," after Afghanistan's new police law banned all protests nationwide. The 84-page legislation, published by the justice ministry, overhauls law enforcement and states that "all types of protests are banned."

What does Afghanistan's new police law say about protests?

The law is an 84-page police law published by the Taliban's justice ministry. It states that "all types of protests are banned" across Afghanistan, without listing any exceptions. The legislation also expands police powers and extends pre-trial detention from three days to 10.

What has Human Rights Watch said about the law?

Elaine Pearson, Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said the measure is "another step in the Taliban's ruthless effort to suppress all dissent." She said the Taliban authorities fear any dissent and are escalating their repression as a result. The Afghan government did not respond to AFP's requests for comment on the ban, which was made public this month.

Why are protests rare in Afghanistan?

Demonstrations have been rare during the Taliban administration's five years in power. At least two people were killed in June when security forces allegedly opened fire at a women's rights protest in the western city of Herat, a group of UN experts said. The new law formalizes a restriction that has, in practice, already been enforced through violence.

How has Amnesty International reacted?

Amnesty International described the police law as "another sweeping assault on human rights in Afghanistan." It called the protest ban "among its most egregious provisions." The group's statement echoes concerns raised separately by Human Rights Watch over the same legislation.

What other powers does the new law give police?

The law extends detention without charge from three days to 10, or even longer by court order. This month, the intelligence agency detained two UN employees for 11 days without giving a reason. In a country where corporal punishment is already used for a range of crimes, the legislation bars officers from hitting prisoners with weapons such as sticks or wires without a court order, though it permits them to use force to get a suspect to repent and allows them to use anger.