Taliban government defends protest ban, citing Islamic law

The Taliban government has defended its ban on protests, arguing the order complies with Islamic law, according to Vanguard News, which cited AFP. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said protests “don’t exist in Islamic law,” insisting citizens should approach the government with concerns instead of demonstrating.

The ban, introduced last month, has drawn condemnation from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, who called it a “ruthless” suppression of dissent. At least two people were killed in June when security forces opened fire on a women’s rights protest in Herat, UN experts said.