In Afghanistan, breaking a wife's bone is punishable by 15 days in jail, while organizing animal fighting carries up to five months in prison.

Omissions

• The MEP did not cite a specific source. Multiple reputable news outlets reported on this Taliban penal code in early 2026.
• The penal code was issued by decree by the Taliban's supreme leader, and the MEP could have noted that it applies under the de facto Taliban government, not an internationally recognized Afghan state.
• The exact animal offense in the penal code is described variably across sources: some reference 'mistreating animals' or 'mistreating a camel,' while others specifically mention 'animal fights.' The MEP's phrasing of 'organizing animal fighting' aligns with Sky News reporting but may be a slight narrowing of the broader animal-cruelty provisions.

Sources

• AcademicGeorgetown Institute for Women, Peace and SecurityThe Taliban's new criminal regulation legalizes domestic violence and embeds severe penalties against women into law, while imposing comparatively harsher punishments for animal-related offenses.
• SecondaryNBC NewsAfghanistan's new penal code sets 15 days in prison for wife-beating and 5 months for mistreatment of animals.
• SecondaryEl País (English edition)The Taliban's new penal code prescribes two weeks in jail for breaking a woman's arm and five months for mistreating a camel.
• SecondarySky NewsAfghanistan's new penal codes set harsher punishments for mistreating animals (and animal fights) than for violence against women, according to the UN High Commissioner.