India, May 17 -- The silence of a "virgin girl" in Afghanistan can be treated as consent to marriage under a new family law decree introduced by the Taliban. The 31-article regulation, titled 'Principles of Separation Between Spouses', was approved by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. It outlines rules governing marriages involving minors, annulments and the authority of male guardians.

Published in mid-May, the decree sets out procedures for dissolving marriages under various religious and legal conditions. It includes cases involving child marriage, missing husbands, forced separation, breastfeeding relations and accusations of adultery, according to Afghan outlet Amu TV.

Under the rules, fathers and grandfathers are given...