News
Taliban Legalizes Slavery, Women Face Severe Repression
Faith Facts
- The Taliban has enacted a new criminal procedure code that formally recognizes slavery and enforces a class-based justice system in Afghanistan.
- This law introduces harsh penalties and class divisions, reducing due process and basic human rights, especially for women and girls.
- International leaders and Christian advocates warn these changes defy biblical values of human dignity and threaten freedom and justice.
The Taliban’s new criminal code, signed by leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, divides Afghan society and denies equal protection under the law. Rights groups and legal experts say it denies due process and elevates certain groups while punishing others.
The code references “free persons” and “slaves,” making Afghanistan’s legal framework conflict with international bans on slavery and Christian teachings on human worth.
“The Taliban has now approved the return of slavery in Afghanistan. We must defund the Taliban,” said Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The law assigns different penalties for the same offenses depending on one’s class or gender, with clerics facing ‘advice’ and those of lower status receiving harsher punishment. Insulting an official or deviating from the Hanafi tradition leads to lashes and imprisonment.
Women are especially at risk, with life sentences and brutal treatment for leaving and returning to Islam, while abusive husbands face light consequences. These practices contradict Christian beliefs in justice and protection for the vulnerable.
The code removes legal safeguards such as the right to a lawyer or compensation for wrongful punishment, and enables convictions through forced confessions and limited evidence.
International voices, including the United Nations and Christian leaders, condemn these acts as “gender apartheid.” Gordon Brown labeled such persecution as crimes against humanity, noting that even Taliban leaders are divided over these oppressive policies.
Cases of arrested female journalists and business owners illustrate the regime’s crackdown on women’s rights. U.N. officials call for global action to hold the Taliban accountable and preserve human dignity rooted in biblical values.
Despite this, some international actors have legitimized the Taliban through diplomatic and economic engagement, undermining efforts for accountability and justice.
Across Afghanistan, families display courage by maintaining underground education efforts for girls, holding fast to the promise of freedom inspired by faith and family values.
As Christians, we must pray and advocate for those oppressed by tyranny, standing resolutely for the God-given dignity of every person. Stay informed and speak up for biblical justice worldwide.