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The Taliban's Criminal Procedure Code, signed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on January 4, 2026, divides Afghan society into four classes: religious scholars, elites, middle class and lower class, with punishments for the same crime varying by social status rather than the severity of the offense.

The Taliban's Criminal Procedure Code, signed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on January 4, 2026, divides Afghan society into four classes: religious scholars, elites, middle class and lower class, with punishments for the same crime varying by social status rather than the severity of the offense.

Article 15 of the code uses the term "ghulam" (slave) and states that discretionary punishment applies whether the criminal is free or a slave, which human rights organizations say amounts to legal recognition of slavery despite international law prohibiting it in all forms.

Article 15 of the code uses the term "ghulam" (slave) and states that discretionary punishment applies whether the criminal is free or a slave, which human rights organizations say amounts to legal recognition of slavery despite international law prohibiting it in all forms.

Under Article 9, religious scholars who commit crimes receive only advice, while lower class offenders face both imprisonment and corporal punishment for the same offense, effectively granting clerics immunity from meaningful criminal accountability.

Under Article 9, religious scholars who commit crimes receive only advice, while lower class offenders face both imprisonment and corporal punishment for the same offense, effectively granting clerics immunity from meaningful criminal accountability.

The code does not recognize the right to a defense lawyer or the right to remain silent, and relies heavily on confession and testimony as the main means of proving guilt without safeguards against coercion or torture.

The code does not recognize the right to a defense lawyer or the right to remain silent, and relies heavily on confession and testimony as the main means of proving guilt without safeguards against coercion or torture.

Article 34 criminalizes women making repeated visits to their father's home without returning to their husband's house, with family members who prevent her return also facing up to three months in prison.

Article 34 criminalizes women making repeated visits to their father's home without returning to their husband's house, with family members who prevent her return also facing up to three months in prison.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, stated he was analyzing the code from human rights and sharia perspectives and that the implications for Afghans are extremely concerning.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, stated he was analyzing the code from human rights and sharia perspectives and that the implications for Afghans are extremely concerning.

Taliban Code Creates Class System, Legalizes Slavery

Taliban Code Creates Class System, Legalizes Slavery

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Taliban Code Creates Class System, Legalizes Slavery

Taliban Code Creates Class System, Legalizes Slavery

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