WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES – Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, says the international community lacks a clear and cohesive policy for Afghanistan, despite the worsening human rights crisis in the country.
Mr. Bennett is set to present his latest report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan to the UN General Assembly later today.
In an interview with UN News ahead of the UN meeting, Mr. Bennett said that countries that pledged to support Afghanistan should not forget the country, considering the dire human rights and humanitarian situation there.
He said that nowhere else in the world are women subjected to such severe mistreatment as in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, calling for increased international attention to the crisis in the country.
“The current situation in Afghanistan could lead to issues including mass immigration and security threats beyond the borders of Afghanistan unless more is done now to support the Afghan people on the basis of human rights and to ensure that there is a path forward towards an Afghanistan that at peace with itself and with its neighbors,” Bennett said.
Referring to the independent assessment of Afghanistan conducted and mandated by the UN last year, the UN expert said that it is an essential starting point that creates a platform with a vision for the country’s future. He emphasized that the assessment should be further elaborated and developed into a comprehensive roadmap for the future, incorporating a diverse array of Afghan voices, including those of the Taliban.
The assessment, produced by the UN Special Coordinator for Afghanistan, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, in November 2023 and later endorsed by the UN Security Council, proposed a series of recommendations, including the appointment of a UN special envoy for Afghanistan, which has not yet been fulfilled.
In his interview, Mr. Bennett described the UN-initiated Doha talks on Afghanistan as a significant step but criticized the process for its slow progress and lack of emphasis on human rights, as well as the exclusion of representatives from women and civil society.
He said that during the third Doha Meeting on Afghanistan, held in late June, two working groups were agreed upon, but they have not yet started meeting.
In response to a question about humanitarian aid for Afghanistan, Mr. Bennett said that while he supports humanitarian assistance for the country, there must be a proper monitoring system in place to ensure that the aid reaches those most in need rather than the Taliban authorities.
He said that Afghanistan requires not only life-saving assistance but also other forms of support, such as mine clearance and legal aid for individuals entitled to legal representation if they encounter legal issues.
