By The South Asia Times

KABUL - Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have approved a new Police Law that imposes sweeping restrictions on public demonstrations and expands police powers over detainees and criminal suspects, according to the Taliban’s Ministry of Justice.

The legislation introduces a blanket prohibition on demonstrations, while giving police broader authority to detain and discipline suspects.

Under Article 50, all forms of demonstrations are prohibited, according to the law. The provision effectively removes the legal basis for public protests under the Taliban's new police framework.

The law also restricts recording during the enforcement of punishments. Article 14, Clause 4 prohibits people from taking photographs or recording video while a punishment is being carried out.

The new legislation also significantly increases the maximum period authorities can detain suspects.

Under Article 27, police may hold a detainee for up to 10 days, compared with a maximum of three days under the previous regulations.

The change gives security authorities considerably more time to keep suspects in custody before they must move to the next stage of the legal process.

The most controversial provisions concern police treatment of suspects.

Article 41 instructs police to warn suspects about fearing God and violating the rights of others. Under Clause 2, police are permitted to take disciplinary measures and use harsh language against suspects.

Clause 3 allows police to compel suspects to repent, while Clause 4 permits police to threaten execution against suspects accused of major crimes.

Under Clause 5, police may punish suspects who repeatedly commit major crimes.

The provisions give police extensive powers to impose disciplinary measures and exert pressure on suspects, raising concerns over due process and safeguards for people in custody.

The new Police Law comes as Afghanistan's Taliban authorities continue to reshape the country's legal and security institutions following their return to power in August 2021, when Taliban forces seized Kabul and the internationally backed government collapsed.

The Taliban has since replaced much of Afghanistan's previous legal framework with laws based on its interpretation of Islamic law and its own administrative regulations.

Rights groups and international organizations have repeatedly raised concerns about restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and other fundamental rights under Taliban rule.

The new law's blanket ban on demonstrations and expanded police powers over suspects are likely to intensify scrutiny of Afghanistan's security and justice system.

The Taliban government has defended its legal reforms as necessary for maintaining security, enforcing Islamic principles and establishing order after decades of war.

For Afghans, however, the new police framework means tighter restrictions on public protest, longer detention periods and substantially broader powers for police dealing with suspects and alleged offenders.