Taliban Bans All Demonstrations Under New “Police Law”

DID Press: Taliban has formally banned all demonstrations across Afghanistan under a newly published law governing the country’s police force, which the group refers to as the “Shurta.”

The Taliban on Saturday, August 22, published the document, titled the “Shurta Law,” in the official gazette after it was approved by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and issued by the group’s Ministry of Justice.

The law consists of a preamble, two chapters, five sections and 53 articles, with the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior designated as the implementing authority. Article 50 explicitly states that “any demonstration within the territory of Afghanistan is prohibited.”

The Taliban had previously banned political party activities and replaced the term “police” with “Shurta,” an Arabic term used by the group to refer to the police force.

The group has repeatedly prevented civil demonstrations over the past five years through arrests, violence, alleged torture and, in some cases, gunfire against protesters.

Under the new law, the duties of the Shurta include maintaining security, protecting borders, regulating road traffic, managing prisoners, protecting archaeological sites and forests, disciplining children, and preventing fires, abductions and human trafficking.

The publication of the Shurta Law highlights the Taliban’s continued effort to reshape state institutions through structural and terminological changes, while Afghanistan faces severe economic, social and humanitarian challenges.

Critics argue that changing the name of the police force and introducing new laws without addressing urgent public needs reflects the Taliban’s ideological emphasis on religious terminology and symbolism. Such policies could further widen the gap between the population’s demands and the government’s priorities.