KABUL (SW) – The de-facto Ministry of Justice announced that the “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law, consisting of 4 chapters and 35 articles, has been ratified by the leader of the Islamic Emirate and is now “enforceable” across Afghanistan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 21, Barakatullah Rasuli, spokesperson for the ministry, noted that this law was designed to regulate the operations of the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (MoPVPV) and to define the powers of its inspectors.
Rasuli added that under this law, individuals who disregard the orders of the inspectors may face imprisonment ranging from one hour to three days, and ultimately, punishments as determined by the inspectors.
The statement notes: “According to this law, the relevant ministry is tasked with promoting virtues and preventing vices in accordance with Islamic Sharia and Hanafi jurisprudence. It is also responsible for ensuring peace and brotherhood among the people, while preventing ethnic, linguistic, and sectarian biases.”
The law includes provisions on women’s dress code, requiring full coverage of the body and face as a “precaution against potential temptation”.
According to the Ministry of Justice spokesperson, the newly approved law also obligates the inspectors to prevent the shaving or trimming of men’s beards beyond what is permissible.
The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice is a key institution responsible for “regulating citizen behavior”. Over the past three years, it has imposed various restrictions on citizens, particularly women, claiming that these measures are intended for “societal reform”.
