KABUL (SW) – The recently ratified laws by the de-facto Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (MoPVPV) has sparked widespread domestic and international reactions.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released a statement on Sunday, expressing concerns that the new law could complicate the Islamic Emirate’s engagement with the international community.
UNAMA has requested clarification from the Islamic Emirate on several provisions and implementation plans outlined in the law.
The statement reads: “The world wants to see Afghanistan on a path to peace and prosperity, where Afghans have a stake in their future and enjoy their rights, rather than merely being subjected to discipline. Further restricting the rights of the Afghan people and keeping them in a state of constant fear will make achieving this goal more difficult.”
“It is a distressing vision for Afghanistan’s future, where moral inspectors have discretionary powers to threaten and detain anyone based on broad and sometimes vague lists of infractions,” said Roza Otunbayeva, head of the UNAMA.
In response to the new law, the Japanese Embassy in Kabul has called on the de-facto authorities to listen to the voices of women in Afghanistan. Similarly, Canada, Belgium, Germany, the United Nations, the U.S. Representative for Women and Girls, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women have all issued separate statements regarding the law.
Meanwhile, some Afghan women and girls have expressed concerns about the impact of the new law on their futures.
Humaira Nabizada, a teacher, said that the law restricts women’s access to their fundamental rights. She added: “I am falling behind in my education, unable to study or work. Our demand from the government is to provide opportunities for girls to receive proper education.”
Some other women have voiced concerns about the lack of details regarding the law’s provisions, which has left their professional futures uncertain.
Zulaikha Ahmadi, a journalist, commented: “We are worried. Will new restrictions be imposed on Afghan women, including female journalists? We urge the Islamic Emirate leadership not to silence Afghan women’s voices.”
Narges Sadafi, a businesswoman also expressed her frustration: “We need to work because there is no education opportunities. They say our voices are ‘awrah’. We are deeply troubled because if we lose this opportunity as well, what will we do?”
Although the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has not commented on the newly enacted law, it had previously stated that all provisions of the law will be enforced. Minister Khalid Hanafi has called on religious scholars worldwide to share any questions or concerns about the new law with the ministry.
The “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law was ratified into effect last week by the leader of the Islamic Emirate, encompassing four sections and 35 articles.
