Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban's leader, in an audio clip released on Wednesday, criticised West's focus on human rights in Afghanistan and other countries, while pointing to the situation in Palestine as an example of a 'genocide'.

Hibatullah reaffirmed the Taliban's commitment to women's rights in Afghanistan. He censured Muslim nations for their "religious weakness," which has led to their silence on the situation in Gaza and their inability to acknowledge the truth.

He stated, "Under the guise of humanity, there is an outcry that they are serving humanity, but in reality, they are spilling human blood. You hear these ignorant and oppressive voices around the world. [Yet] in Palestine, there is severe oppression and genocide against Muslims."

In the recording, Hibatullah claimed his decrees have restored rights to Afghan women which they had been previously denied. He reiterated his granting of rights to women concerning dowries, inheritance, and consent in marriage.

The Taliban leader did not comment on the reopening of schools or the conditions for women's education in his address.

Details regarding the date and location of the speech are unconfirmed. Hedayatullah Hedayat, Deputy of the Taliban-controlled National Radio and Television, shared the audio on his X account, stating it was from Wednesday.

Segments of the speech had also been broadcast by Tolo News.

It is believed that Hibatullah, who has not been seen in video footage, delivered this address in Kandahar to a group of religious scholars.