Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Taliban government has defended its newly enacted nationwide ban on protests, insisting that the order is fully compliant with Islamic law, even as international human rights organisations condemned the move as a "ruthless" assault on freedom of expression in Afghanistan. The ban, introduced in late August 2026 as part of a new police law approved by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, explicitly prohibits "all types of protests" across the country.
Speaking at a news conference in Kabul on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP that the law "fully complies with Islamic law" and that "protests don't exist in Islamic law". Mujahid argued that demonstrations belong to democratic or republican systems, not an Islamic system. Under the Islamic system, he said, citizens should instead take their grievances directly to government institutions rather than take to the streets. Mujahid also claimed the ban would "protect people from wasting time" and prevent the destruction of private property.
The ban has drawn sharp rebuke from international rights groups. Human Rights Watch slammed the prohibition as "another step in the Taliban's ruthless effort to suppress all dissent". Amnesty International described the broader changes to law enforcement as "another sweeping assault on human rights in Afghanistan," calling the protest ban "among its most egregious provisions". Demonstrations have been rare in Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power just over five years ago. However, in June 2026, at least two people were killed when security forces reportedly opened fire on a women's rights protest in Herat.
The new police law, which also changes the name of the police force to "Shurta," defines police powers and responsibilities while placing some restrictions on the treatment of detainees. Police officers are barred from beating prisoners or suspects with sticks, whips, or cables without a court order. However, the law gives security authorities a clear legal basis to prevent public demonstrations. The ban's implementation will determine how these provisions affect public activity and law enforcement across Afghanistan.
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