Taliban defends Afghanistan protest ban under Islamic law

The Taliban government defended Afghanistan's ban on protests on Wednesday, saying the order complies with Islamic law after rights groups condemned it as an attempt to suppress dissent.

The government introduced a rule last month saying that "all types of protests are banned". Demonstrations in Afghanistan have been rare since the Taliban returned to power just over five years ago.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told a news conference that the law "fully complies with Islamic law" and that "protests don't exist in Islamic law". He said people can approach the government with concerns rather than hold demonstrations.

Mujahid also argued that the ban would protect people from wasting time and prevent the destruction of private property.

Human Rights Watch described the ban late last month as "another step in the Taliban's ruthless effort to suppress all dissent". Amnesty International called the Taliban's broader law enforcement changes "another sweeping assault on human rights in Afghanistan" and said the protest ban was among the most egregious provisions.

A group of UN experts said at least two people were killed in June when security forces reportedly opened fire on a women's rights protest in the western city of Herat.