A convoy of Taliban security personnel is parked near the former US Embassy in Kabul on August 15, 2026 as they celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Taliban government’s return to power. The Taliban government celebrates five years of ruling Afghanistan on August 15, with the authorities hailing their country’s “freedom” and security, while critics decry tightening restrictions in all areas of daily life. (Photo by Wakil Kohsar / AFP)
The Taliban government defended on Wednesday its ban on protests that has drawn condemnation from rights groups, saying the order complies with Islamic law.
Demonstrations in Afghanistan have been rare since the Taliban returned to power just over five years ago, but the government last month introduced a rule holding that “all types of protests are banned”.
International organisations have decried the law as “ruthless” and a move to suppress any dissent in the country.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP during a news conference that the “law fully complies with Islamic law”, adding that “protests don’t exist in Islamic law”.
