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Taliban Legalize Wife Beating Under New Law

Published February 20, 2026, 14:07
Taliban Legalize Wife Beating Under New Law

The Taliban have legalized the beating of wives by husbands, provided it does not cause serious injuries such as broken bones or open wounds. The new penal code, signed by the supreme leader of the Taliban, considers domestic violence as “discretionary punishment” rather than a crime. Furthermore, the law criminalizes women fleeing abusive relationships and severely restricts women's rights, repealing previous legislation protecting against gender-based violence and forced marriage. The new legislation has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.