July 21, 2017

Afghanistan criminalizes ‘child play’

located:	Afghanistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

The Afghan government has finally included the malicious practice of ‘Bacha Baazi’ [sexual exploitation of children and young boys] as crime in its revised penal code.

‘Bacha Bazi’, literally "boy play" is a slang term in Persian for a wide variety of activities involving sexual relations between older men and younger adolescent men, or boys that sometimes includes child sexual abuse. The victim of “Bacha Bazi” is called “bach bey rish” (boys without beard) while the abuser is called “bacha baz or kaata”.

Abdul Basir Anwar, the country’s Minister of Justice announced on Thursday that the sexual abuse of children is one of the main crimes included in the revised version of the penal code. This review is part of Kabul’s broader pledges at the international forums for reforms in its legal system. The minister said the penal code has been finalized following lengthy and extensive reviews at various levels. ‘Bacha Bazi’ was among some 50 offenses for which punishments were not specified that led to the culture of impunity and acceptance.

Widely popular among warlords and other influential individuals, the ancient practice of ‘Bacha Bazi’ continues to stain the face of modern-day Afghanistan that is lingering towards a more lawful and democratic way of life thanks to the enduring support from the international community. Weakening the Afghan society from within, the abuse of children and young boys has also penetrated into the country’s nascent security forces. The country’s Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) has long been raising concerns over the broader impacts of this social taboo.

With the fresh legislations, the Kabul government has taken a long-due step forward towards strengthening the judiciary, and broadening its scope to cover literally all aspects of life in a bid to end ambiguities and streamline legal system.