Taliban govt defends ban on protest, citing Islamic law

The Taliban government defended its ban on protests on Wednesday, saying the order complies with Islamic law.

Introduced last month, the rule states that all types of protests are banned in Afghanistan and has drawn condemnation from international rights groups.

Why does the Taliban say protests are banned in Afghanistan?

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says protests have no place in Islamic law, arguing they belong to systems such as democracies or republics.

Under Islamic governance, he said, people should raise concerns directly with the government rather than demonstrate. He also said the ban protects people from wasted time and property damage.

What did the Taliban spokesman say about the protest ban?

Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP during a news conference that the law "fully complies with Islamic law," adding that "protests don't exist in Islamic law." He said protests belong to societies where different legal systems are established, such as a democracy or a republic. Under the Islamic system, he said, people can approach the government with concerns rather than hold demonstrations.

Mujahid argued the ban "will also protect people from wasting time" and prevent the destruction of private property. Demonstrations have been rare in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power just over five years ago. The government introduced the new rule last month.

How have rights groups responded to the ban?

Human Rights Watch condemned the ban late last month, calling it "another step in the Taliban's ruthless effort to suppress all dissent."

Amnesty International described the Taliban's broader changes to law enforcement as "another sweeping assault on human rights in Afghanistan." The group called the protest ban "among its most egregious provisions" within those changes.

Has violence broken out at protests in Afghanistan?

Demonstrations have remained rare under Taliban rule, but tensions have turned violent at times.

At least two people were killed in June when security forces reportedly opened fire on a women's rights protest in the western city of Herat, according to a group of UN experts.