New Taliban Restrictions: Women's 'Tempting' Voices Must Not Be Heard in Public Places

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has imposed further restrictions on women with the announcement of new 'Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice' laws. According to the Associated Press, one of these stringent laws prohibits the voices of women in public places. A Taliban spokesperson stated that the new laws were issued on Wednesday, August 31, after being approved by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban in Afghanistan, and cover various aspects of life including public transportation, music, beauty and grooming, and the holding of ceremonies and celebrations. Article 13 of this set of laws pertains to women and states that hijab is mandatory for women in public places, requiring them to cover their faces and entire bodies to avoid temptation and provoking others. It further stipulates that women's clothing must not be thin, tight, or short. Women are also required to wear hijab in front of non-Muslim men and women to avoid corruption. According to these laws, a woman's voice is considered tempting and must not be heard loudly in public while singing, reciting the Quran, or in any situation. Additionally, women are prohibited from looking at men who are not related to them by blood or marriage, and vice versa. Mawlawi Abdul Ghafar Farooq, a Taliban spokesperson, stated on Thursday that these Islamic laws will be very effective in 'promoting virtue and preventing vice.' This 114-page, 35-article document, seen by the Associated Press, is the first official declaration of 'Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice' since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan three years ago. The Taliban has also established a ministry to enforce these laws, with offenders facing arrest and punishments such as imprisonment. These laws also ban the publication of images of living beings, prohibit music broadcasting, restrict the transportation of female passengers alone, and forbid the mixing of men and women who are not related. Passengers and drivers are required to pray at designated times. Last month, the United Nations criticized the restrictions imposed by the Taliban, stating that these laws and practices create an atmosphere of fear and terror among Afghans. The Taliban rejects the UN's claims. On Tuesday, August 30, Taliban officials also announced the dismissal of over 280 security personnel for not having beards, and in the past year, they have arrested more than 13,000 individuals for what they termed 'immoral actions.' The Taliban's 'Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice' ministry reported in its 'annual performance' that about half of those arrested were released after 24 hours, and the report did not provide information on their alleged crimes or gender. Mohibullah Makhlas, an official from this ministry, stated at a press conference that the Taliban destroyed 21,328 musical instruments last year and prevented thousands of 'immoral' films from circulating in cyberspace. The 'Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice' ministry, established after the Taliban regained power in the seized buildings of the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Kabul, has faced severe criticism from human rights organizations and the United Nations for imposing restrictions on women and hindering freedom of expression.