Rise in Public Floggings Under Taliban Rule: Impact and Concerns
On December 8, 2022, Taliban security personnel stood guard as 27 individuals underwent public flogging in front of a large crowd at a football stadium in Charikar city, Parwan province. The Taliban view such punishments as appropriate for certain violations, such as females seeking education despite bans, or engaging in adultery.
In March 2024, NPR reported on a statement from the Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, advocating a return to such punishments. Gradually, public punishments have increased, with the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization (AHRDO) recording 2,745 instances of corporal punishment between February and April. These figures come from the Taliban’s public records. The United Nations reported similar observations, noting over 1,110 flogging cases in 2025 alone. Such acts are documented through the Taliban’s Supreme Court’s publications and press releases.
Advocates believe some instances remain undocumented, particularly those occurring without formal court records. For example, women violating the Taliban’s strict dress code might face on-the-spot floggings. One activist, identified as MA, shared a video of a public flogging, emphasizing the dangers of speaking out against these practices.
“The floggings are an important aspect of administration of justice in the Taliban’s eyes,” explained Shaharzad Akbar, executive director of the Afghan human rights group Rawadari.
Samira Hamidi from Amnesty International added that these punishments serve as tools of intimidation. Legal experts criticize them as violations of international law, including commitments like the Convention against Torture. Haydee Dijkstal underscores that such treatments violate human rights, labeling them as unlawful.
Women and Marginalized Groups Targeted
The AHRDO report highlights how women and marginalized groups face disproportionate impacts. Taliban officials’ actions often stem from discriminatory charges, violating fundamental human rights protected under international law. Women have a heightened risk, given restrictions on movement, dress, and public participation imposed by the Taliban.
After taking control, the Taliban dismantled the Afghan legal system, dismissing around 270 female judges and 1,500 female lawyers. Currently, there are no women judges or lawyers in Afghanistan, complicating women’s ability to defend themselves legally.
One case described as PF003 involved a woman detained for her attire, leading to her arrest and corporal punishment. The system fails to protect the population, particularly women and children, leaving them vulnerable to violence and trauma. AHRDO documented several cases where women were punished after seeking justice for domestic abuse or rape.
Case PF006 involved a victim with an intellectual disability who suffered abuse from a Taliban member. Attempts by her family to report the crime resulted in her punishment instead of justice.
Public Flogging Consequences
Public punishments extend consequences beyond immediate physical harm. Victims often face social ostracization and stigma. Shaharzad Akbar notes the social and medical repercussions victims face post-flogging. Reputational damage hinders their reintegration into families and communities.
The practice also impacts spectators, raising concerns about desensitization to violence and community trust. Hamidi points out that the fear and self-censorship created weaken trust in justice systems. The psychological toll affects not just survivors but entire communities. Akbar warns about the long-term communal trauma, expressing concerns about breaking cycles of anger and resentment.