AAN’s unofficial translation of the Penal Code for Courts

AAN is pleased to publish a translation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s Penal Code for Courts by Islamic scholar John Butt.* The Code largely deals with what in Islamic law are called ta’zir punishments. These are discretionary, decided on by a judge or ruler, in this case, by the Islamic Emirate’s Supreme Leader, Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada. The bulk […]

26 Feb 2026 Taleban and related documents

AAN’s unofficial translation of the decree on the assets of absentee Afghans and those ‘spreading disorder’

AAN has translated a decree from the Islamic Emirate’s Supreme Leader concerning assets belonging to Afghans who are absent from the country and those who are engaged in ‘spreading disorder’. The decree orders the dissolution of the Directorate of Residential Property Assessment under the Office of Administrative Affairs and tasks the military wing of the Supreme […]

12 Feb 2026 Taleban and related documents

AAN’s complete unofficial translation of the Law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice

AAN is pleased to publish Islamic scholar John Butt’s complete translation of the Islamic Emirate’s law on the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The law specifies various actions and behaviour that the Emirate has forbidden or made obligatory for Afghan men and women. It also details the duties and powers of the ministry’s enforcers, who are granted extensive authority to impose penalties on those they have […]

13 Apr 2025 Taleban and related documents

Selected parts of the Draft Law Concerning the Prevention of Usurpation of Land and Restitution of Usurped Land

AAN has translated selected articles from the Draft Law Concerning the Prevention of Usurpation of Land and Restitution of Usurped Land that specify the types of land which are of concern to the IEA and which are referred to in the 15 December 2023 report ‘Land in Afghanistan: This time, retaking instead of grabbing land?‘ […]

15 Dec 2023 Taleban and related documents

Decrees, orders and Instructions of Taleban supreme leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada

(English translation and original Pashto and Dari) AAN has translated the decrees, edicts and instructions of Taleban supreme leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, from 2016, when he became leader, to May 2023, which were published in the Official Gazette on 22 May 2023 in Pashto and Dari.  You can preview the English translation online, after the list […]

15 Jul 2023 Taleban and related documents

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Declaration about the Tweet of Donald Trump Regarding the Negotiations

8 September 2019 We had fruitful negotiations with the American negotiation team and the agreement was finalised. The American negotiation team was happy with the progresses made and we ended the talks in a good atmosphere. Both teams were busy with preparations for the announcement and signing of the agreement. We had selected 23 September […]

8 Sep 2019 Taleban and related documents

Text of Speech Enunciated by Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan at a Research Conference in France

This was used as an annexe to the AAN report “Qatar, Islamabad, Chantilly, Ashgabad: Taleban Talks Season Again?” Monday, 10 Safar 1434 Monday, 24 December 2012 08:16 The full text of speech enunciated by two representatives from Political Office of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mawlawi Shahbuddin Dilawar and Doctor Muhammad Naeem, at research conference in […]

24 Dec 2012 Taleban and related documents

Taleban Code of Conduct or the Layha

For English translations of the 2010, 2009 and 2006 Codes of Conduct, click here and to see the original Pashto texts, click here.

4 Jul 2011 Taleban and related documents

Taleban edict on the ban of internet (2001)

Published by Radio Shariat (transcript) Saturday, 25 Aug 2001 8:00 pm An edict of the IEA has been issued concerning the prohibition of using Internet on the territory of the IEA by the IEA administration, non-Emirate institutions, foreign and local NGOs. 1st article:         All IEA administration, non-Emirate institutions, foreign and local NGOs and individual people cannot use Internet […]

25 Aug 2001 Taleban and related documents

Commitment letter for foreign nationals living on IEA territory

This was a draft document sent to international organisations by the Taleban government in June 2001; it was never implemented. Source: AAN archive. Exact copy of the English original (retyped because of poor quality of original fax copy): The commitments of Foreign NationalsWhile Living into the territory of the IEACommitment letter NameFather’s Name:Last Name:Passport no:Nationality: […]

1 Jun 2001 Taleban and related documents