KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, called on the international community to develop and implement a comprehensive, human rights-centered, and gender-responsive action plan for Afghanistan.
Presenting his latest report to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly on Friday, November 1, Mr. Bennett said that the absence of a strong and cohesive response from the international community has emboldened the Taliban.
In his statement, the UN expert noted that the human rights situation in Afghanistan is deteriorating, with systematic gender oppression amounting to gender persecution, which many Afghans term “gender apartheid,” and it carries intergenerational implications.
“The recent ‘vice and virtue law’ institutionalizes an expanding list of restrictions that blatantly violate the rights of women and girls. It impacts the entire society, including men, religious minorities, and journalists,” he said, referring to the Taliban’s newly enacted morality law.
In his latest report, Mr. Bennett highlighted the dire state of human rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, including cases of sexual violence against women detained by the regime.
Bennett characterized the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls as a form of gender apartheid, advocating for discussions on recognizing gender apartheid as a crime against humanity.
The human rights situation in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan has continued to deteriorate over the past three years, with widespread violations committed by the regime, particularly against women and ethnic minorities.
The newly enacted so-called “morality law,” which took effect in August, has exacerbated the already dire situation for both men and women. The law silences women’s voices, prohibits eye contact with unrelated men, mandates full-body covering including the face, and imposes various other restrictions.
During his speech, Mr. Bennett also voiced deep concern about the plight of ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Hazaras in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, urging urgent and effective measures to protect them.
He said that the Hazara community continues to be targeted by extremist groups like ISIS and faces discrimination and marginalization by the Taliban in various aspects of their lives.
“Many of them are Shia Muslims who are unjustifiably restricted in freely manifesting their own religion including during the month of Muharram,” he said.
He concluded his speech by urging the international community to adopt an “all-tools approach” that incorporates practical actions by states to support the people of Afghanistan, aimed at creating a peaceful, inclusive, and rights-respecting society.
“Here in New York, the UN and its member states should act by leveraging the women, peace, and security agenda, along with the independent assessment on Afghanistan,” he said.
Bennett urged UN member states not to normalize relations with the Taliban until there are demonstrable improvements in human rights and pathways to justice and accountability.
The Special Rapporteur called on the Taliban to reverse discriminatory and repressive policies and to restore human rights in the country.
The Taliban has yet to respond to Mr. Bennett’s latest report and his recent remarks. In August, the regime barred him from entering Afghanistan, accusing him of “spreading propaganda” and providing “inaccurate and misleading” information.
