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Codes of Conduct
Most of you know I've written a fair bit about revolutionary warfare, and "low-intensity conflict" generally. The topic of relations between the army (standing or guerrilla) and the populace is always relevant, and the written codes of conduct that have been adopted from time to time are interesting to scan as signs of what behaviours need to be corrected - normally, notices about refraining from cannibalism do not need to be posted near swimming pools unless that has been both a recurring problem and something the Management wishes to correct.
A compare and contrast exercise:
The Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention
In 1927, Mao Zedong laid down for the Red Army of the Chinese Workers and Peasants the Three Main Rules of Discipline and then in January 1928 the Six [later Eight] Points for Attention. These disciplinary regulations became part of the mythology of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and are still taught as the basic code of conduct for every member of the CPLA.
***
Three Main Rules of Discipline:
1. Obey orders in all your actions.
2. Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses.
3. Turn in everything captured.
Eight Points for Attention:
1. Speak politely.
2. Pay fairly for what you buy.
3. Return everything you borrow.
4. Pay for anything you damage.
5. Do not hit or swear at people.
6. Do not damage crops.
7. Do not take liberties with women.
8. Do not maltreat captives.
***
The Taliban Code of Conduct
In a worldwide exclusive the Swiss weekly, Die Weltwoche, published the new Taliban Codex in November 2006. I have been unable to find what exactly it replaced, but notable along with the many prohibitions (no ransoms, no independent contracting with Non-Government Organizations, no smoking, no young boys allowed in barracks) are the injunctions (share captured weapons and equipment equally, kill teachers who won't heed your warnings, destroy things built by outside agencies, remember to post sentries - what's that doing in here?).
***
Layeha (book of rules) for the Mujahideen
From the highest leader of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan.
Every Mujahid must abide by the following rules:
1) A Taliban commander is permitted to extend an invitation to all Afghans who support infidels so that they may convert to the true Islam.
2) We guarantee to any man who turns his back on infidels, personal security and the security of his possessions. But if he becomes involved in a dispute, or someone accuses him of something, he must submit to our judiciary.
3) Mujahideen who protect new Taliban recruits must inform their commander.
4) A convert to the Taliban, who does not behave loyally and becomes a traitor, forfeits our protection. He will be given no second chance.
5) A Mujahid who kills a new Taliban recruit forfeits our protection and will be punished according to Islamic law.
6) If a Taliban fighter wants to move to another district, he is permitted to do so, but he must first acquire the permission of his group leader.
7) A Mujahid who takes a foreign infidel as prisoner with the consent of a group leader may not exchange him for other prisoners or money.
8) A provincial, district or regional commander may not sign a contract to work for a non-governmental organization or accept money from an NGO. The Shura (the highest Taliban council) alone may determine all dealings with NGOs.
9) Taliban may not use Jihad equipment or property for personal ends.
10) Every Talib is accountable to his superiors in matters of money spending and equipment usage.
11) Mujadideen may not sell equipment, unless the provincial commander permits him to do so.
12) A group of Mujahideen may not take in Mujahideen from another group to increase their own power. This is only allowed when there are good reasons for it, such as a lack of fighters in one particular group. Then written permission must be given and the weapons of the new members must stay with their old group.
13) Weapons and equipment taken from infidels or their allies must be fairly distributed among the Mujahideen.
14) If someone who works with infidels wants to cooperate with Mujahideen, he should not be killed. If he is killed, his murderer must stand before an Islamic court.
15) A Mujahid or leader who torments an innocent person must be warned by his superiors. If he does not change his behaviour he must be thrown out of the Taliban movement.
16) It is strictly forbidden to search houses or confiscate weapons without the permission of a district or provincial commander.
17) Mujahideen have no right to confiscate money or personal possessions of civilians.
18) Mujahideen should refrain from smoking cigarettes.
19) Mujahideen are not allowed to take young boys with no facial hair onto the battlefield or into their private quarters.
20) If members of the opposition or the civil government wish to be loyal to the Taliban, we may take their conditions into consideration. A final decision must be made by the military council.
21) Anyone with a bad reputation or who has killed civilians during the Jihad may not be accepted into the Taliban movement. If the highest leader has personally forgiven him, he will remain at home in the future.
22) If a Mujahid is found guilty of a crime and his commander has barred him from the group, no other group may take him in. If he wishes to resume contact with the Taliban, he must ask forgiveness from his former group.
23) If a Mujahid is faced with a problem that is not described in this book, his commander must find a solution in consultation with the group.
24) It is forbidden to work as a teacher under the current puppet regime, because this strengthens the system of the infidels. True Muslims should apply to study with a religiously trained teacher and study in a Mosque or similar institution. Textbooks must come from the period of the Jihad or from the Taliban regime.
25) Anyone who works as a teacher for the current puppet regime must recieve a warning. If he nevertheless refuses to give up his job, he must be beaten. If the teacher still continues to instruct contrary to the principles of Islam, the district commander or a group leader must kill him.
26) Those NGOs that come to the country under the rule of the infidels must be treated as the government is treated. They have come under the guise of helping people but in fact are part of the regime. Thus we tolerate none of their activities, whether it be building of streets, bridges, clinics, schools, madrases (schools for Koran study) or other works. If a school fails to heed a warning to close, it must be burned. But all religious books must be secured beforehand.
27) As long as a person has not been convicted of espionage and punished for it, no one may take up the issue on their own. Only the district commander is in charge. Witnesses who testify in a procedure must be in good psychological condition, possess an untarnished religious reputation, and not have committed any major crime. The punishment may take place only after the conclusion of the trial.
28) No lower-level commander may interfere with contention among the populace. If an argument cannot be resolved, the district or regional commander must step in to handle the matter. The case should be discussed by religious experts (Ulema) or a council of elders (Jirga). If they find no solution, the case must be referred to well-known religious authorities.
29) Every Mujahid must post a watch, day and night.
30) The above 29 rules are obligatory. Anyone who offends this code must be judged according to the laws of the Islamic Emirates.
This Book of Rules is intended for the Mujahideen who dedicate their lives to Islam and the almighty Allah. This is a complete guidebook for the progress of Jihad, and every Mujahid must keep these rules; it is the duty of every Jihadist and true believer.
Signed by the highest leader of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan
(Editor's note: this Book of Rules was distributed initially to the 33 members of the Shura, the highest Taliban council, at their meeting during Ramadan 2006.)
***
Original Taliban codex translation found at http://www.signandsight.com/features/1071.html
A compare and contrast exercise:
The Three Main Rules of Discipline and Eight Points for Attention
In 1927, Mao Zedong laid down for the Red Army of the Chinese Workers and Peasants the Three Main Rules of Discipline and then in January 1928 the Six [later Eight] Points for Attention. These disciplinary regulations became part of the mythology of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and are still taught as the basic code of conduct for every member of the CPLA.
***
Three Main Rules of Discipline:
1. Obey orders in all your actions.
2. Do not take a single needle or piece of thread from the masses.
3. Turn in everything captured.
Eight Points for Attention:
1. Speak politely.
2. Pay fairly for what you buy.
3. Return everything you borrow.
4. Pay for anything you damage.
5. Do not hit or swear at people.
6. Do not damage crops.
7. Do not take liberties with women.
8. Do not maltreat captives.
***
The Taliban Code of Conduct
In a worldwide exclusive the Swiss weekly, Die Weltwoche, published the new Taliban Codex in November 2006. I have been unable to find what exactly it replaced, but notable along with the many prohibitions (no ransoms, no independent contracting with Non-Government Organizations, no smoking, no young boys allowed in barracks) are the injunctions (share captured weapons and equipment equally, kill teachers who won't heed your warnings, destroy things built by outside agencies, remember to post sentries - what's that doing in here?).
***
Layeha (book of rules) for the Mujahideen
From the highest leader of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan.
Every Mujahid must abide by the following rules:
1) A Taliban commander is permitted to extend an invitation to all Afghans who support infidels so that they may convert to the true Islam.
2) We guarantee to any man who turns his back on infidels, personal security and the security of his possessions. But if he becomes involved in a dispute, or someone accuses him of something, he must submit to our judiciary.
3) Mujahideen who protect new Taliban recruits must inform their commander.
4) A convert to the Taliban, who does not behave loyally and becomes a traitor, forfeits our protection. He will be given no second chance.
5) A Mujahid who kills a new Taliban recruit forfeits our protection and will be punished according to Islamic law.
6) If a Taliban fighter wants to move to another district, he is permitted to do so, but he must first acquire the permission of his group leader.
7) A Mujahid who takes a foreign infidel as prisoner with the consent of a group leader may not exchange him for other prisoners or money.
8) A provincial, district or regional commander may not sign a contract to work for a non-governmental organization or accept money from an NGO. The Shura (the highest Taliban council) alone may determine all dealings with NGOs.
9) Taliban may not use Jihad equipment or property for personal ends.
10) Every Talib is accountable to his superiors in matters of money spending and equipment usage.
11) Mujadideen may not sell equipment, unless the provincial commander permits him to do so.
12) A group of Mujahideen may not take in Mujahideen from another group to increase their own power. This is only allowed when there are good reasons for it, such as a lack of fighters in one particular group. Then written permission must be given and the weapons of the new members must stay with their old group.
13) Weapons and equipment taken from infidels or their allies must be fairly distributed among the Mujahideen.
14) If someone who works with infidels wants to cooperate with Mujahideen, he should not be killed. If he is killed, his murderer must stand before an Islamic court.
15) A Mujahid or leader who torments an innocent person must be warned by his superiors. If he does not change his behaviour he must be thrown out of the Taliban movement.
16) It is strictly forbidden to search houses or confiscate weapons without the permission of a district or provincial commander.
17) Mujahideen have no right to confiscate money or personal possessions of civilians.
18) Mujahideen should refrain from smoking cigarettes.
19) Mujahideen are not allowed to take young boys with no facial hair onto the battlefield or into their private quarters.
20) If members of the opposition or the civil government wish to be loyal to the Taliban, we may take their conditions into consideration. A final decision must be made by the military council.
21) Anyone with a bad reputation or who has killed civilians during the Jihad may not be accepted into the Taliban movement. If the highest leader has personally forgiven him, he will remain at home in the future.
22) If a Mujahid is found guilty of a crime and his commander has barred him from the group, no other group may take him in. If he wishes to resume contact with the Taliban, he must ask forgiveness from his former group.
23) If a Mujahid is faced with a problem that is not described in this book, his commander must find a solution in consultation with the group.
24) It is forbidden to work as a teacher under the current puppet regime, because this strengthens the system of the infidels. True Muslims should apply to study with a religiously trained teacher and study in a Mosque or similar institution. Textbooks must come from the period of the Jihad or from the Taliban regime.
25) Anyone who works as a teacher for the current puppet regime must recieve a warning. If he nevertheless refuses to give up his job, he must be beaten. If the teacher still continues to instruct contrary to the principles of Islam, the district commander or a group leader must kill him.
26) Those NGOs that come to the country under the rule of the infidels must be treated as the government is treated. They have come under the guise of helping people but in fact are part of the regime. Thus we tolerate none of their activities, whether it be building of streets, bridges, clinics, schools, madrases (schools for Koran study) or other works. If a school fails to heed a warning to close, it must be burned. But all religious books must be secured beforehand.
27) As long as a person has not been convicted of espionage and punished for it, no one may take up the issue on their own. Only the district commander is in charge. Witnesses who testify in a procedure must be in good psychological condition, possess an untarnished religious reputation, and not have committed any major crime. The punishment may take place only after the conclusion of the trial.
28) No lower-level commander may interfere with contention among the populace. If an argument cannot be resolved, the district or regional commander must step in to handle the matter. The case should be discussed by religious experts (Ulema) or a council of elders (Jirga). If they find no solution, the case must be referred to well-known religious authorities.
29) Every Mujahid must post a watch, day and night.
30) The above 29 rules are obligatory. Anyone who offends this code must be judged according to the laws of the Islamic Emirates.
This Book of Rules is intended for the Mujahideen who dedicate their lives to Islam and the almighty Allah. This is a complete guidebook for the progress of Jihad, and every Mujahid must keep these rules; it is the duty of every Jihadist and true believer.
Signed by the highest leader of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan
(Editor's note: this Book of Rules was distributed initially to the 33 members of the Shura, the highest Taliban council, at their meeting during Ramadan 2006.)
***
Original Taliban codex translation found at http://www.signandsight.com/features/1071.html
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