The Afghan Taliban’s announcement of a public execution of a death row prisoner has sparked widespread concern and controversy. Here are the relevant circumstances:

Recent events:

On November 13, 2024, local time, the Afghan Taliban announced in the eastern region that it would publicly execute a convicted murderer at a stadium in Gardez, Paktia Province that day. According to an official statement in the local language, the Taliban invited the public, religious scholars, and civilian and military officials to participate in the event and asked them not to bring cameras or mobile phones.

Similar past events and background:

Historical situation: During the Taliban’s first rule in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, there were public executions of women who committed adultery.

After returning to power: Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, some public punishments have also been implemented. For example, in December 2022, the Taliban publicly executed a man convicted of murder, which was the first public execution since it returned to power. In addition, the Taliban has also punished hundreds of people with flogging in stadiums across Afghanistan.

Reactions from all parties:

United Nations and human rights organizations: United Nations experts and human rights organizations have consistently condemned such public executions and corporal punishments such as flogging as violations of human rights and international law, and urged the Taliban to stop immediately.

Some countries in the international community: Some Western countries have expressed criticism and concern about such actions by the Taliban, believing that this is inconsistent with the concept of human rights and the rule of law in modern society. However, the Taliban said that it implemented these punishments based on its own understanding of Islamic law and asked the international community not to interfere.