Democracy is officially dead in Afghanistan as Taliban bans all political parties
Afghanistan's Minister of Justice, Abdul Hakim Sharei made the announcement on August 16, 2023. Photo: Getty
The Afghan Taliban government has effectively halted the operations of all political parties. This ruling was announced during a press conference held by the Minister of Justice, Abdul Hakim Sharei, on Wednesday, August 16. He stated that, according to Sharia law, the concept of political parties is not recognized within Islam.
“Sharia law does not permit the operation of political parties within the country. They do not align with the national interest, nor are they valued by the nation,” Sharei said.
Prior to the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021, there were 73 registered political parties. Since the assumption of power by the Taliban government, all of these political entities have become redundant and are now officially prohibited from functioning.
Why does the Taliban government oppose democracy?
The Taliban government operates under Islamic Sharia law, which does not endorse the principles of democracy. In a democratic system, political parties operate and individuals are free to vote for their preferred party to assume power.
However, the Sharia system does not encompass democratic ideals. Everyday life and governance are guided by Sharia Law as dictated in the Quran.
This was the fundamental objective of the Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, who ascended to power in 1996. His intention was to enforce the Sharia system by any means necessary.
Under Islamic law, there exists no human-crafted constitution, and the government is compelled to adhere to Sharia law.
For instance, under Sharia law, the penalty for murder is the death sentence. Yet, if the blood relative of the victim pardons the perpetrator, only then is the life of the accused spared. The administration does not possess the authority to pardon the accused in any circumstances.
Presently, Hibatullah Akhunzada serves as the Supreme Leader of the Taliban, and he continues along the governance path forged by Mullah Omar. Mullah Abdul Hakim Sharei also hails from the Kandahari faction, which was led by Mullah Omar.
Hence, the Taliban government is unwavering in its commitment to the Islamic way of life.
Global criticism
The decision to ban political parties is likely to tarnish Afghanistan’s international reputation. The war-ravaged nation is grappling with a severe financial crisis due to significant reductions in foreign aid.
Aside from Russia and China, the majority of Western nations have voiced strong criticism regarding the Taliban government's rule over Afghanistan during the past two years.
The Taliban has recently faced widespread condemnation for imposing various restrictions on women. Women are now prohibited from pursuing higher education, working in offices, and even traveling alone. The closure of beauty salons by the Taliban government has added financial strain to many working women.
Given this backdrop, securing foreign funds to support its population is anticipated to be a challenging endeavor for the Taliban.