UN Experts Condemn Taliban's Decree on Spousal Separation

A recent decree issued by the Taliban in Afghanistan has drawn sharp criticism from United Nations experts for its potential to undermine women's rights and legitimize child marriage. The decree, titled 'Separation of Spouses,' was promulgated by the de facto Ministry of Justice in April 2026. It outlines the conditions under which spouses may separate, but according to UN experts, it leaves women and girls vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.

The decree appears to validate child marriage, contradicting a previous decree from December 2021 that required the consent of an adult woman for marriage. This shift has raised concerns about the erosion of protections against underage marriage, a longstanding issue in Afghanistan. The experts emphasized that the new decree could also adversely affect the Shia minority and other religious groups within the country.

The UN experts highlighted that the decree's provisions could prevent women and girls from leaving abusive relationships, thereby entrenching cycles of domestic violence and oppression. They called on the Taliban authorities to reconsider the decree and align it with international human rights standards to ensure the protection and empowerment of women and girls in Afghanistan.

This development is part of a broader pattern of increasing restrictions on women's rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. International organizations continue to monitor the situation closely, advocating for the rights and well-being of Afghan women and girls.