KABUL — The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has approved a new independent mechanism to investigate serious human rights abuses in Afghanistan, including those committed under Taliban rule.
The resolution, adopted on Monday and led by the European Union, aims to advance accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other grave violations. It authorizes the collection and preservation of evidence to prepare case files for future prosecutions in national and international courts.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the decision sends a clear warning to the Taliban and others implicated in abuses that evidence is now being documented for eventual justice.
The new body will focus on Taliban violations against women and girls, which HRW says amount to gender persecution. Its mandate also covers abuses by former government officials, warlords, non-state armed groups, and international forces.
“Countries at the UN Human Rights Council have sent a strong message that those responsible for serious international crimes in Afghanistan—past or present—will one day face justice,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at HRW.
The move follows years of campaigning by Afghan and international human rights groups. In August, a coalition led by HRD+, representing more than 100 organizations, renewed calls for an investigative body to address Afghanistan’s long-standing culture of impunity.
The UN secretary-general has been tasked with quickly setting up the mechanism, despite the organization’s financial strain. It is also expected to cooperate closely with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban officials accused of gender persecution.
HRW described the step as a vital sign of support for Afghans still suffering under Taliban repression.
“The resolution shows that the suffering of Afghans—especially women and girls—has not been forgotten,” Abbasi said. “The world is finally taking steps to ensure accountability is not denied to them.”
