KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, is on a regional visit to discuss the ongoing human rights crisis in Afghanistan before the upcoming 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
Bennett announced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) that after several “productive” days of discussions in Turkey, he has now arrived in Qatar. During his trip, Bennett plans to meet with various Afghan groups, including men and women, as well as experts and officials from different countries.
The 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council is scheduled to begin next week in Geneva, where Bennett will present his latest report on Afghanistan’s human rights situation.
In recent weeks, the Taliban barred Bennett from entering Afghanistan, accusing him of spreading “propaganda” against their regime. This decision has been met with widespread criticism.
Despite the restrictions, Bennett vowed to continue documenting human rights violations in Afghanistan. Since taking on his role, he has released three reports on the country, condemning the Taliban’s treatment of women as “crimes against humanity.”
In his most recent report, Bennett emphasized the worsening human rights situation under Taliban rule. He urged the international community not to normalize or legitimize the Taliban’s government without significant improvements in human rights.
Bennett also called on the Taliban to immediately halt all forms of institutionalized discrimination against women and girls, and to reverse policies that restrict their fundamental rights and freedoms.
