British parliament member Hamish Falconer has expressed deep concern over reports that the Taliban’s newly approved family separation regulations could permit child marriage in Afghanistan.
In a post published Monday on X, Falconer said: “Girls should be protected, not forced into marriage.”
He stressed that child marriage anywhere in the world represents a clear violation of fundamental human rights.
The remarks come amid growing international criticism over a recently approved 31-article Taliban regulation addressing issues including child marriage, annulment of marriage, and child custody.
Human rights organizations and international agencies have strongly criticized the new Taliban rules, warning they could legitimize child marriage and further restrict women’s rights in Afghanistan.
The Taliban, however, have dismissed the criticism as unimportant.
Afghanistan Human Rights Watch on Saturday described the regulations as a “manifesto of gender apartheid” and a formal step toward legalizing child marriage in the country.
The organization also called for stronger banking, travel, and diplomatic sanctions against senior Taliban officials.
Earlier, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan also expressed concern, warning that the regulations could effectively permit child marriage.
UNAMA emphasized that the Taliban are obligated to align their laws and policies with international human rights commitments, including protections against child marriage.
The UN mission further urged Taliban authorities to uphold the principle of consent in marriage and protect the dignity and rights of women and children.
Women’s rights activists warn that implementing such regulations could lead to broader restrictions and increased pressure on Afghan women and girls.
