Capital punishment in Afghanistan

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Capital punishment refers to the execution of an offender sentenced to death after conviction of a criminal offense. [1] Capital punishment is legal in Afghanistan and can be carried out secretly or publicly due to the current governmental system. [2] [3] The main methods of execution employed by the Afghan government on convicts are hangings and shootings. [4] Stoning, amputation, and flogging are also sometimes used as a method for punishment, and were especially prominent during the late 1990s. [4] Public executions have existed throughout Afghanistan's history. The former Afghan government took important steps away from the use of the death penalty, but they have continued with the Taliban returning to power in August 2021. [4] [5] Some executions have been recently condemned by the United Nations. UN experts have called on Afghan authorities "to halt immediately all forms of torturous, cruel, and degrading forms of punishments." [6] The capital offenses in Afghanistan include a range of crimes from murder to adultery, and are governed by Sharia, along with civil laws. [7]

Contents

Capital Offenses

The capital offenses include the serious crimes and are governed by Sharia laws, along with civil laws. The capital offences includes: [5]

Notable Executions

See also

Related Research Articles

Capital punishment, also known as the death penalty and formerly called judicial homicide, is the state-sanctioned killing of a person as punishment for actual or supposed misconduct. The sentence ordering that an offender be punished in such a manner is known as a death sentence, and the act of carrying out the sentence is known as an execution. A prisoner who has been sentenced to death and awaits execution is condemned and is commonly referred to as being "on death row". Etymologically, the term capital refers to execution by beheading, but executions are carried out by many methods, including hanging, shooting, lethal injection, stoning, electrocution, and gassing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital punishment by country</span>

Capital punishment, also called the death penalty, is the state-sanctioned killing of a person as a punishment for a crime. It has historically been used in almost every part of the world. Since the mid-19th century many countries have abolished or discontinued the practice. In 2022, the five countries that executed the most people were, in descending order, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanging</span> Death by suspension around the neck

Hanging is killing a person by suspending them from the neck with a noose or ligature. Hanging has been a standard method of capital punishment since the Middle Ages, and has been the primary execution method in numerous countries and regions. The first known account of execution by hanging is in Homer's Odyssey. Hanging is also a method of suicide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital punishment in Maryland</span>

Capital punishment was abolished via the legislative process on May 2, 2013, in the U.S. state of Maryland.

Capital punishment in Canada dates to Canada's earliest history, including its period as first a French then a British colony. From 1867 to the elimination of the death penalty for murder on July 26, 1976, 1,481 people had been sentenced to death, and 710 had been executed. Of those executed, 697 were men and 13 women. The only method used in Canada for capital punishment of civilians after the end of the French regime was hanging. The last execution in Canada was the double hanging of Arthur Lucas and Ronald Turpin on December 11, 1962, at Toronto's Don Jail. The National Defence Act prescribed the death penalty for certain military offences until 1999, although no military executions had been carried out since 1946.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LGBTQ rights in Afghanistan</span>

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) people in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Afghan members of the LGBT community are forced to keep their gender identity and sexual orientation secret, in fear of violence and the death penalty. The religious nature of the country has limited any opportunity for public discussion, with any mention of homosexuality and related terms deemed taboo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pul-e-Charkhi prison</span> Maximum-security prison located in Kabul, Afghanistan

Pul-e-Charkhi prison, also known as the Afghan National Detention Facility, is a maximum-security prison located next to the Ahmad Shah Baba Mina neighborhood in the eastern part of Kabul, Afghanistan. It has the capacity to house 14,000 inmates, but as of October 2024 it only has around 5,000 inmates, most of whom have been arrested and convicted within the jurisdiction of Kabul Province. It is considered the country's largest prison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public execution</span> Capital punishment carried out in public view

A public execution is a form of capital punishment which "members of the general public may voluntarily attend." This definition excludes the presence of only a small number of witnesses called upon to assure executive accountability. The purpose of such displays has historically been to deter individuals from defying laws or authorities. Attendance at such events was historically encouraged and sometimes even mandatory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital punishment in Japan</span>

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Japan. The Penal Code of Japan and several laws list 14 capital crimes. In practice, though, it is applied only for aggravated murder. Executions are carried out by long drop hanging, and take place at one of the seven execution chambers located in major cities across the country. The only crime punishable by a mandatory death sentence is instigation of foreign aggression.

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Iran. The list of crimes punishable by death includes murder; rape; child molestation; homosexuality; drug trafficking; armed robbery; kidnapping; terrorism; burglary; incest; fornication; adultery; sodomy; sexual misconduct; prostitution; plotting to overthrow the Islamic government; political dissidence; sabotage; arson; rebellion; apostasy; blasphemy; extortion; counterfeiting; smuggling; recidivist consumption of alcohol; producing or preparing food, drink, cosmetics, or sanitary items that lead to death when consumed or used; producing and publishing pornography; using pornographic materials to solicit sex; capital perjury; recidivist theft; certain military offences ; "waging war against God"; "spreading corruption on Earth"; espionage; and treason. Iran carried out at least 977 executions in 2015, at least 567 executions in 2016, and at least 507 executions in 2017. In 2018 there were at least 249 executions, at least 273 in 2019, at least 246 in 2020, at least 290 in 2021, at least 553 in 2022, at least 834 in 2023, and at least 901 executions in 2024. In 2023, Iran was responsible for 74% of all recorded executions in the world, with the UN confirming that at least 40 people were executed in one week in 2024.

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Pakistan. Although there have been numerous amendments to the Constitution, there is yet to be a provision prohibiting the death penalty as a punitive remedy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital punishment in Australia</span>

Capital punishment in Australia has been abolished in all jurisdictions since 1985. Queensland abolished the death penalty in 1922. Tasmania did the same in 1968. The Commonwealth abolished the death penalty in 1973, with application also in the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. Victoria did so in 1975, South Australia in 1976, and Western Australia in 1984. New South Wales abolished the death penalty for murder in 1955, and for all crimes in 1985. In 2010, the Commonwealth Parliament passed legislation prohibiting the re-establishment of capital punishment by any state or territory. Australian law prohibits the extradition or deportation of a prisoner to another jurisdiction if they could be sentenced to death for any crime.

Capital punishment in Malaysia is used as a penalty within its legal system for various crimes. There are currently 27 capital crimes in Malaysia, including murder, drug trafficking, treason, acts of terrorism, waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, and, since 2007, rape resulting in death. Executions are carried out by hanging. Capital punishment was mandatory for 11 crimes for many years. In October 2018, the government imposed a moratorium on all executions with a view to repeal the death penalty altogether, before it changed its stance and agreed to keep the death penalty but would make it discretionary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stoning</span> Method of capital punishment

Stoning, or lapidation, is a method of capital punishment where a group throws stones at a person until the subject dies from blunt trauma. It has been attested as a form of punishment for grave misdeeds since ancient times.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">February 2009 raids on Kabul</span> Air strikes and fatalities in Kabul

The February 2009 raids on Kabul were a series of strikes by the Taliban against Afghan government targets in Kabul, Afghanistan on February 11, 2009. The attacks killed 21 and injured 57. The attacks happened the day before the new American envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, was due to arrive in the country.

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Jamaica. Currently, the only crime punishable by death is aggravated murder. The method of execution is hanging. Jamaica was originally a British colony. The last person executed in Jamaica was Nathan Foster, who was convicted of murder and hanged in 1988. The Jamaican Parliament had placed a moratorium on the death penalty until 2009, when it was lifted. Since 2009, capital punishment is legal and executions in Jamaica could resume; however, there have been no executions since.

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Jordan. The country had a moratorium on capital punishment between 2006 and 2014. In late 2014 the moratorium was lifted and 11 people were executed. Two more executions followed in 2015, 15 executions took place in 2017 and one in 2021. The method of execution is hanging, although shooting was previously the sole method for carrying out executions.

Capital punishment is a legal penalty in Nigeria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capital punishment for homosexuality</span>

Capital punishment as a criminal punishment for homosexuality has been implemented by a number of countries in their history. It is a legal punishment in several countries and regions, all of which have sharia-based criminal laws, except for Uganda.

Capital punishment for offenses is allowed by law in some countries. Such offenses include adultery, apostasy, blasphemy, corruption, drug trafficking, espionage, fraud, homosexuality and sodomy not involving force, perjury causing execution of an innocent person, prostitution, sorcery and witchcraft, theft, treason and espionage. In addition to civilian treason and espionage, often considered capital crimes against the state where the death penalty is retained, military laws frequently ordain execution for serious offences, including in jurisdictions where capital punishment is illegal or obsolete under civilian law.

References

  1. ↑ "Capital punishment | Definition, Debate, Examples, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Facing Intl Condemnation, Islamic Emirate Defends Sharia Executions". TOLOnews. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Afghan Lives Matter, stop the death penalty". EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 "Taliban hang dead bodies from cranes in city squares". 26 September 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Death Penalty Worldwide". deathpenaltyworldwide.org. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Afghanistan: UN experts call on the Taliban to immediately halt public floggings and executions". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights . 16 December 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "Death Penalty Worldwide". deathpenaltyworldwide.org. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "Former Afghan commander executed". BBC News. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  9. ↑ "Afghanistan executes 15 prisoners by gunfire". Associated Press. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  10. ↑ "Kabul Bank attackers sentenced to death". Pajhwok Afghan News. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  11. ↑ Schifrin, Nick (21 June 2011). "How the Taliban Turned a Child Into a Suicide Bomber". ABC News. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  12. ↑ "Two mass killers hanged in Kabul prison". Upi.com. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  13. ↑ "Afghanistan executes eight prisoners: officials". English.ahram.org.eg. 20 November 2012. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Afghanistan hangs 'terrorists'". News.iafrica.com. 21 November 2012. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  15. ↑ "UPDATE 1-Afghanistan hangs five men over gang rape, despite concerns of rights groups". reuters.com. 8 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 8 October 2014.
  16. ↑ "UNAMA regrets execution of 6 terrorists by Afghan government". Ariana News. 9 May 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  17. ↑ "Afghanistan executes six Taliban prisoners". the Guardian. 8 May 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  18. ↑ Murphy, Matt. "Taliban conduct first public execution since return to power". BBC News. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  19. ↑ "Taliban carry out 2nd known public execution since seizing power in Afghanistan". AP News. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  20. ↑ "Taliban hold public execution for 2 men, who are killed by gunfire in a stadium as thousands watch". Associated Press. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  21. ↑ "The Taliban hold another public execution as thousands watch at a stadium in northern Afghanistan". AP News. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
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