Khalid Hanafi, the acting head of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice under the caretaker government, has recently prohibited his agents from intruding into citizens’ personal mobile phones or pockets.
Mr. Hanafi made these remarks during a seminar on how to implement “accountability” during the Eid holidays. He stated: “The blessed religion of Islam does not permit any violation of personal privacy. Therefore, without a person’s permission, it is not permissible to reach into their mobile phone, pocket, or home.”
He emphasized to the agents of the ministry that “they have been chosen to implement the Islamic system.”
The minister called on his agents to “pay attention to their responsibilities and carry out their duties in a manner that sets a guiding example for society.”
It is worth noting that the agents of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice currently monitor citizens’ clothing, appearance, and behavior.
Citizens have frequently complained about these agents’ conduct, accusing them of violating their privacy and personal freedoms.
The “Law on the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,” ratified by the caretaker government in Asad (August) of last year, has imposed extensive restrictions on both public and private life.
Additionally, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has stated that under this law, Afghan citizens are treated as “subjects under control” rather than as citizens with defined rights.
