SHIBERGHAN (Pajhwok): Individuals committing crimes would be punished according to the divine laws and no other country should interfere in the internal matters of Afghanistan, a top acting government official said on Thursday.
Earlier, the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ (IEA) spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said a man convicted of murder was publicly executed in western Farah province on Wednesday in front of lookers including senior government and court officials.
Reacting to the move, the UN Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said: “Afghanistan’s de facto authorities announced the public execution of a man in Farah province today. The UN strongly opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, and calls on de facto authorities to establish immediate moratorium with a view to abolishing the death penalty.”
In a statement in UN Human Rights Office termed the development as ‘extremely disturbing’.
UN Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said it was performed in the presence of local residents and some senior members of the de facto authorities reminding that public executions constitute a form of “cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”, he stressed that they are “arbitrary in nature and contrary to the right to life protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Afghanistan is a State party”.
But, Abdul Salaam Hanafi, administrative aide of the acting prime minister, during his meeting with local officials in Jawzjan, said individuals committing crimes would be punished according to divine laws and officials should be committed in its implementation
He said foreign countries should not interfere in the internal matters of Afghanistan adding that the Islamci Emirate was committed in ensuring justice and punishing aggressors, murders and thieves.
He said that security situation had improved in the country and government was committed to improve the economic condition as well.
He said the purpose of his trip to Jawzjan was to hear about the problems and challenges faced by local authorities and people and find solution for these problems.
Governor Ismael Rasikh said that the provincial authorities conducted the routine affairs normally and were committed to serve the people.
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