Afghanistan, Dec. 2 -- A recent public execution in Afghanistan has prompted sharp criticism from the United Nations, raising renewed concerns over human rights violations and judicial fairness.
The Taliban authorities in Khost province confirmed this week that a man accused of murder was executed publicly, continuing the group's reintroduction of harsh punishments since regaining power in 2021. The execution reportedly took place in front of a gathered crowd, echoing practices widely documented during the Taliban's previous rule in the 1990s.
The announcement sparked immediate global concern. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, said he had received reports of the imminent execution and urged the Tal...