The Supreme Leader of the Taliban has issued a chilling declaration, vowing to reintroduce brutal public punishments, including stoning women to death, while denouncing Western democracy. In a recent voice message aired on state television, Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada addressed Western officials, defiantly stating their intent to implement archaic punishments such as stoning and public floggings, dismissing criticisms as contrary to their interpretation of Sharia law.
Despite initial promises of moderation, the Taliban swiftly reverted to draconian measures reminiscent of their previous rule in the late 1990s, drawing strong condemnation from the United Nations. Akhundzada, believed to be based in Kandahar, reaffirmed the Taliban’s commitment to their harsh interpretation of Islamic law, asserting that Western notions of women’s rights contradict Sharia and the Taliban’s religious authority.
Akhundzada’s rhetoric has sparked outrage among Afghans, with many calling for increased international pressure on the Taliban. One Afghan woman, Tala, lamented the deteriorating situation in her country, describing the pervasive sense of insecurity and oppression faced by women under Taliban rule. She emphasized the urgent need for global intervention to prevent further regression of women’s rights in Afghanistan, as the Taliban tightens its grip on power, effectively turning the lives of Afghan women into a prison.
