Taliban Approves Penal Code Permitting Limited Spousal Discipline

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has approved a new criminal code that permits men to physically discipline their wives and children at home, as long as the violence does not cause broken bones or open wounds, according to reports from Afghan and international outlets. The document, signed by supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and distributed to courts nationwide, was issued in late January and represents the latest formalization of the group's strict interpretation of Sharia law since regaining power in August 2021.

The code classifies such spousal and parental beatings as tazir, a form of discretionary punishment rather than a criminal offense. Even in cases involving serious injury, the maximum penalty for the offender is 15 days in prison, officials said. Women face significant barriers to seeking justice under these rules. They must provide proof of harm in court by displaying injuries, yet Taliban regulations require them to remain fully covered and appear only with a male guardian, often the alleged abuser himself. A Kabul-based legal adviser described the process as lengthy and impractical, noting instances where complaints were dismissed without the required...