The Islamic Emirate reiterated its orders to members to uphold people’s personal privacy. This followed numerous complaints of citizens over actions of the Islamic Emirate forces that included “phone-searching and home-to-home searching.”
The Ministry of Vice and Virtue said in a statement that the violation of people’s personal privacy without a warrant is forbidden. The statement was comprised of five points:
“No one has the right to violate others’ privacy. They should not go through phones and other electronic devices. The investigation of residences, stores and hotels should be based on legal documents,” said Mohammad Sadiq Akif, spokesman for the ministry. Islamic religious scholars said that the violation of people’s personal privacy was forbidden in Islam.
“As the government is Islamic… violating people’s privacy is prohibited because male and female Muslims are being bothered with such actions,” said Abdul Rahman Abid, a religious scholar. Some legal analysts believe that violating people’s privacy is a crime.
“A safe environment is one of the main rights of Afghan nationals. This issue is included in the constitution and backed by Sharia and Islamic law. Whenever someone violates other people’s privacy, he will be prosecuted and punished based on legal principles,” said Subhanallah Musbah, a lawyer. Kabul residents called for the practical involvement of the Vice and Virtue Ministry.
“Houses should not be searched without permission. This is a good move, and we appreciate it,” said Mohammad Javad Sikandar. “Some people who have been detained and released tell their stories–but not with the media–testimonies should not be taken by force and it is not allowed by any law, nor by Sharia,” said Taj Mohammad Sikandar, a resident of Kabul.
When the Islamic Emirate swept into power, the constitution, and operations of legal institutions were suspended. Religious scholars called on the Islamic Emirate to prosecute the perpetrators who disturb the public, citing Islamic regulations.
Meanwhile, the department of vice and virtue in the western province of Herat ordered shopping malls to remove the heads of mannequins.
The department in a statement said that the mannequins are similar to statues and must not be allowed in the markets.
