Taliban Enforces Ban on Images of Living Beings in Afghanistan

The Taliban has implemented a controversial directive prohibiting media in three Afghan provinces from showing images of any living beings. This decision has drawn significant criticism from journalism and civil liberty advocates.

A Taliban official announced that state-run media in the provinces of Takhar, Kandahar, and Maidan Wardak must cease all portrayals of living creatures. This strict regulation sets Afghanistan apart, as no other Muslim-majority country enforces such limitations, including Iran and Saudi Arabia. During their prior rule in the late 1990s, the Taliban had previously banned most forms of media.

In addition to the image ban, the Taliban's Information Ministry revealed it has prohibited 400 books deemed incompatible with Islamic and Afghan values. These books are being removed from stores and publishing houses, with religious texts, including the Qur'an, taking their place. A spokesperson for the ministry emphasized that any literature perceived as a threat to the nation’s unity and culture will be confiscated.

The newly introduced regulations are part of a broader morality law that will be enforced nationwide. Officials have stated that they will educate the public on why capturing images of living beings contravenes Islamic principles. The law not only restricts media content but also intensifies the limitations placed on women's rights.

While specific penalties for violating the image ban have not been disclosed, historical precedents during the previous Taliban regime showed that offenders could face imprisonment for similar infractions. Journalists and media outlets, especially in Takhar and Maidan Wardak, are experiencing heightened anxiety over the implications of these new restrictions.

Experts warn that the tightening grip of censorship could significantly affect journalists' mental health and their ability to carry out their work. Many are concerned that there is a lack of consensus among Taliban leaders about these restrictions, as they continue to engage in public displays, such as press conferences in front of cameras.

International organizations and human rights groups have voiced alarm over the morality law. The United Nations has labeled it a "distressing vision" for Afghanistan, highlighting its severe curtailment of personal freedoms, especially for women. The Taliban's morality police have been given wide-ranging powers to detain individuals based on ambiguous and broad infractions.

Historically, the Taliban imposed similar bans during their earlier rule, restricting photography, television, and internet use. However, following their resurgence to power in August 2021, the group initially refrained from imposing immediate restrictions on imagery.

Despite these challenges, rights advocates assert that Afghan journalists will persist in their efforts, even from exile, utilizing technology to maintain connections and share their stories. The belief that the Taliban can silence Afghan voices is seen as unrealistic.

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