Afghanistan Country Update

This country update describes current religious freedom conditions under de facto Taliban authorities, including the introduction and enforcement of strict religious edicts. It highlights the manner in which such edicts have severely restricted the religious freedom of all Afghans, including those with different interpretations of Islam, as well as religious minorities such as Ahmadiyya Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, and Shi’a Muslims. It also provides an overview of the role of the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in enforcing de facto authorities’ strict interpretation of Islam and Shari’a, including through corporal and capital punishment.