Afghanistan’s Taliban has approved a new family law regulation, titled “Principles of Separation Between Spouses,” that defines how marriage and related disputes are handled under its interpretation of Islamic rules. Multiple reports say the decree, which runs to 31 articles, includes a provision that treats a virgin girl’s silence after reaching puberty as consent for marriage—an interpretation that has drawn widespread international criticism.
The regulation also addresses other family matters, including child marriage, divorce, and marital disputes. According to the reports, authority in these matters is largely vested in male relatives, with fathers and grandfathers given significant control over decisions affecting spouses and family proceedings.
The decree was approved by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, as reported by NDTV. India Today and Times of India focus on the “silence equals consent” aspect, while Times of India also highlights the broader framework governing child marriage and marital disputes. The reports collectively describe a legal update that expands the Taliban’s rule-set for family law and continues to raise human-rights concerns abroad.
