Taliban enacts law banning all demonstrations across Afghanistan

The Taliban has enacted a new law governing its police force that explicitly bans all demonstrations across Afghanistan, further tightening restrictions on public dissent under its rule.

The “Shurta Law” was published on Saturday, August 22, by the Taliban’s Justice Ministry and printed in the ministry’s official gazette. The Taliban said the law had been signed and approved by its supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

The group previously renamed Afghanistan’s police force “Shurta,” an Arabic term meaning police.

The law comprises an introduction, two chapters, five sections and 53 articles. Article 50 states: “All demonstrations throughout Afghanistan are prohibited.”

The Taliban has already prevented demonstrations from taking place during the five years since it returned to power. Taliban forces have repeatedly responded to public protests with crackdowns, arrests, torture and gunfire against demonstrators.

The new law adds to broader restrictions imposed by the Taliban on political activity. The group has also banned political parties and does not recognise political pluralism or the operation of political parties and movements.

The legislation formalises a sweeping prohibition on demonstrations and reinforces the Taliban’s restrictions on organised political and public dissent across Afghanistan.

By Tamilla Hasanova