Taliban Spokesperson Tells UNAMA That Detentions Based on Islamic Sharia & Not Arbitrary

In response to UNAMA's call to cease “arbitrary detention”, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said that no individual has been detained arbitrarily.

Mujahid said that the group's actions align with legal standards and adhere to the principles of Islamic Sharia.

Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) urged the Taliban to cease the "arbitrary arrests" of advocates of girls' education. UNAMA emphasised that rights to family, lawyers, care, fair trial must be upheld.

During the past two and a half years, the Taliban has detained numerous journalists, civil activists, and advocates for girls' education.

UNAMA specifically mentioned Ahmad Fahim Azimi and Sadiqullah Afghan, both education activists, as well as Munizha Sediqi, a women's rights activist. The organisation expressed deep concern regarding their current situations.

In response to this request, Zabihullah Mujahid said, "Be assured that no one will be detained arbitrarily, and no individual will be detained without precise and comprehensive information."

He emphasised, "If an individual has been arrested through legal channels, it is the judiciary that has exercised its authority in accordance with the law."

These statements are issued while human rights institutions have previously expressed concern about the collapse of Afghanistan's judicial system and the legal vacuum in the country.

Following the takeover of power in August 2021, the Taliban nullified constitution of Afghanistan. The group has not succeeded in introducing a new constitution yet.