Public executions in Afghanistan: The Taliban regime on Wednesday executed an Afghan who was found guilty of killing another man. It was the first public execution by the former insurgents who hastily took over Afghanistan in 2021.
The slain man, identified as Tajmir from Herat province, was convicted five years ago of killing another man and stealing his motorcycle and mobile phone.
According to reports, the development also underscored the new Afghan regime’s intention to maintain strict rules and their interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law, once it comes to power in August 2021.
Top Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the victim’s father hanged himself in front of several high-ranking Taliban officials and hundreds of eyewitnesses in the western Farah region.
The decision to execute was taken with ‘great care’: Taliban
According to Mujahid, the decision to carry out the execution was taken “very carefully” after the country’s three highest courts and approval by the Taliban’s supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada.
A statement from spokesman Mujahid said Tajmir was arrested by Taliban security forces after the victim’s family accused him of the crime.
The statement did not say when the arrest took place, but said Tajmir had allegedly confessed to the murder. Mujahid said Tajmeer was shot thrice by the victim’s father with a rifle on Wednesday.
During the country’s previous Taliban rule in the late 1990s, the group carried out public executions, floggings and stonings of those convicted of crimes in Taliban courts.
After taking over Afghanistan in 2021, in the final weeks of US and NATO forces pulling out of the country after 20 years of war, the Taliban initially promised to allow rights for women and minorities.
Instead, they have restricted rights and freedoms, including banning girls’ education after the sixth grade.
He publicly flogged in various provinces, punishing many men and women accused of theft, adultery or running away from home.
The former rebels have struggled in their transition from war to rule amid an economic downturn and withholding official recognition from the international community.
US, UN condemn public executions
Meanwhile, public executions by the Taliban have been condemned by the United States. State Department spokesman Ned Price said, “We are closely monitoring the Taliban’s treatment of the people of Afghanistan.”
“As we have said publicly and also in our private relations with the Taliban, their relationship with us, with the international community, depends entirely on their own actions. When it comes to human rights, when it comes to the rights of women, girls, minorities and other marginalized communities in Afghanistan, it largely depends on their actions.”
In addition, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also expressed concern about public executions, reiterating the UN position that “the death penalty cannot be reconciled with full respect for the right to life.” commented Stephanie Tremblay, associate spokeswoman for the
(with inputs from AP)
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