Afghanistan: Taliban’s Judicial System Marred by Bribery and Favoritism, Public Trust in Justice Declining

Kabul: Afghan media has exposed growing corruption, bribery and nepotism within the Taliban’s judicial system, making access to justice extremely difficult for ordinary citizens, particularly women and minorities.

According to a report by the prominent Afghan publication Hasht-e Subh, prolonged delays in the registration, hearings and decisions of cases have become routine in Taliban-run courts. Frustrated by the slow and non-transparent procedures, many complainants are being forced to withdraw their cases. The report says people are protesting against the courts’ biased behavior, humiliating treatment of litigants and widespread corruption.

The publication has alleged that Taliban judges are issuing biased verdicts in exchange for large sums of money, while there is virtually no effective mechanism for filing complaints or seeking redress against them.

Meanwhile, legal experts say the lack of a clear legal framework within the Taliban’s judicial system has become one of the biggest obstacles to the delivery of justice. Experts have warned that transparent and genuine justice in Afghanistan will remain impossible unless clear laws, independent oversight and an effective accountability system for judges are established.