The United Nations has expressed grave concern over a new decree from Afghanistan's Taliban government regarding marital separation, which includes provisions for child marriage. The UN stated this further discriminates against women and girls, a claim rejected by the government.

The United Nations expressed “grave concern” on Thursday about a new law issued by Afghanistan’s Taliban government on separation in marriage which includes provisions on child marriage, saying the code further entrenches discrimination against women and girls. The government rejected the accusations, saying the decree follows Islamic law and insisting the country has already banned the forced marriage of girls. Afghanistan’s justice ministry published Decree No 18 “on judicial separation of...