KABUL (SW): Analysts have expressed skepticism over limiting death penalties and extending life imprisonment term from 20 to 30 years in the revised penal code.
Abdul Basir Anwar, Minister for Justice, shared details regarding the new penal code of Afghanistan with the media on Thursday. Reviewing the civil, trade and criminal laws was one of commitments to international community, said Anwar. He said 15 independent criminal laws including criminal code, law on crimes against internal and external security, law on execution, law on fight against narcotics, law on fighting terrorism crimes, law on fighting terrorism funding, law on money laundry, law on fighting corruption, law on human trafficking, law on refugees trafficking, law on violence against women, law on women and children harassments, explosive materials, and 50 others had no specific punishments. This also included crimes regarding agriculture, traveling, settlement, environment, mines and petroleum, moral deviation crimes like Bacha bazi, election, torture, and civil aviation.
Commenting on this, Tahir Hashimi, professor at the Kabul University, told Salam Watnadar that removing death sentence or limiting it in the penal code would have broader impacts on the society. He added that in countries like Afghanistan where the level of serious organized crimes is high, such a move would have negative impacts. Kabir Ranjbar, an analyst, said in this regards that the move to limit death sentence would encourage criminals. He said criminals would get more confident as level of corruption in courts is high, and influential individuals often get away with crimes.
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