Kabul – Arg Times: The Taliban are once again under intense scrutiny from civil society, Afghan citizens, and international human rights organizations for widespread violations of personal privacy. In recent months, public concern has escalated over reports of arbitrary street searches, phone inspections, and even interference in people’s personal attire—acts carried out by Taliban officials under the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.
Eyewitness accounts and testimonies suggest that morality police under this ministry routinely stop individuals in public spaces, search their mobile phones without warrants, and verbally harass them—particularly women. According to activists and legal experts, these practices are clear violations of citizens’ privacy and fundamental freedoms.
Following growing backlash on social media and in the press, Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s Minister for the Promotion of Virtue, issued a rare public statement criticizing his agents. He called on them to refrain from searching people’s homes, pockets, and mobile phones. However, victims of such encounters remain skeptical and call for a complete and genuine end to Taliban interference in their private lives.
“I Still Feel the Psychological Impact”
Saber (a pseudonym), a 29-year-old resident of Kabul, recounts a disturbing encounter that occurred four months ago near Abdul Haq Square. Two Taliban agents stopped him and demanded access to his phone without explanation. They opened his photo gallery and paused on images from private gatherings and music events dating back to the Republic era.
Although they found no explicit or illegal content, the agents accused him of “immorality” based on their own interpretation of the photos. After 20 minutes of interrogation and demeaning remarks, they returned his phone and let him go.
“Since then, I delete everything from my phone before leaving the house—music, family pictures, even harmless texts. I’m constantly afraid they’ll stop me again,” Saber says.
Women Face the Brunt of Street-Level Harassment
Women in Afghanistan are especially vulnerable to such violations. Amna (a pseudonym), a 24-year-old woman from District 5 of Kabul, says that women’s attire has become a frequent and arbitrary justification for public humiliation.
“In many cases, women are stopped not because of any wrongdoing, but simply due to differences in clothing style,” she explains. “I’ve seen women get insulted just for wearing colorful dresses, slightly shorter coats, or high-top shoes.”
According to Amna, even when women fully observe hijab, Taliban agents often find reasons to humiliate them in public, fostering a climate of fear and shame across society.
A Deliberate Policy, Not Rogue Behavior
Human rights activist Roqia Moradi describes these actions as “systematic, degrading, and deliberately designed to control society.” She argues that the Taliban’s invasive behavior is not the result of individual misconduct but part of a broader authoritarian strategy aimed at crushing independent thought and behavior.
“The Taliban use religion as a tool of coercion,” Moradi says. “Their actions have nothing to do with Islamic ethics. It’s political violence in the guise of Sharia.”
She urges the Taliban to implement transparent oversight mechanisms, hold violators accountable, and allow independent monitoring bodies to operate. “If the Taliban are truly committed to reform, they need to go beyond statements and take real structural steps,” she adds.
A Broader Climate of Surveillance
Alongside street-level harassment, reports continue to emerge of home raids being carried out in major Afghan cities. Although large-scale, publicized house-to-house searches have decreased since the Taliban’s initial return to power, sporadic and unannounced searches persist. These often occur without legal justification and are accompanied by intimidation and destruction of property.
In addition, the Taliban have recently begun installing surveillance cameras in public areas of Kabul, Parwan, Baghlan, and most recently Panjshir. While the stated goal is public security, critics argue that these measures are aimed at intensifying surveillance and controlling citizen behavior.
Oversight, or Overreach?
Despite Minister Hanafi’s comments, many citizens remain unconvinced that Taliban agents will change their practices. Activists warn that without real accountability, transparency, and legal safeguards, such public statements are unlikely to bring meaningful reform.
Until systemic changes are implemented, Afghans will continue to live under the constant threat of surveillance, intrusion, and humiliation.
