Those punishments began after Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada last month ordered judges to uphold aspects of Islamic law.
“We call de facto authorities immediately establish a moratorium prohibiting the death penalty, flogging and other corporal punishment that constitutes torture, or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and Ensuring a fair trial and due process in accordance with international standards”, according to the experts in a statement.
Women mostly targeted
Since November 18, more than 100 men and women have been reportedly flogged in public in several Afghan provinces, including Takhar, Logar, Laghman, Parwan and Kabul.
The floggings took place in stadiums in the presence of Taliban officials and the public.
Each person received between 20 and 100 lashes for alleged crimes such as theft, “illegitimate” relationships, or breaching social codes of conduct.
“While the criminalization of extramarital relationships appears to be gender-neutral, in practice the punishment is predominantly aimed at women and girls,” the experts said.
Officials witness the execution
Last week, the Taliban authorities carried out what is believed to be the first public execution since they came to power in August 2021.
The UN Human Rights Office, OHCHRHe called it a “deeply disturbing” development.
The dead man was charged with murder and, according to media reports, was shot by his victim’s father.
The execution took place on December 7 in a crowded stadium in Farah province, southwestern Afghanistan.
High-ranking Taliban officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chief Justice, were present.
“tasteless and undignified”
The UN experts said public floggings and executions began after the Supreme Leader ordered the judiciary on November 13 to punish hudood (crimes against God) and qisas (retribution in kind).
“Public floggings and public executions violate universal principles Prohibit torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” they said.
“That public spectacle of these penalties make them particularly distasteful and undignified,” they added.
Doubts about a fair trial
The experts reminded that Afghanistan is a party a UN agreement which prohibits torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment
“We also raise doubts about the fairness of the trials preceding these penalties, which appear to fall short of basic due process guarantees,” her statement continued.
“International human rights law prohibits the carrying out of such cruel sentences, particularly the death penalty, after trials that appear to lack the necessary guarantees of a fair trial,” they said.
About UN experts
The 10 experts who made the statement were appointed by the UN Human Rights Councilbased in Geneva.
These include several special rapporteurs whose mandates include the human rights situation in Afghanistan or issues such as discrimination against women and girls.
Experts appointed by the Council are independent of any government or organization, work on a voluntary basis and act in their individual capacity.
They are not UN employees and are not paid for their work.
