Afghanistan

UN’s Bennett hopes for equality in Eid message

Richard Bennett, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, expressed his hope for solidarity and humanity for the people of Afghanistan in a message marking Eid al-Adha.

“May this Eid inspire solidarity, collaboration, and more dignity, humanity, equality, and peace for all,” Bennett wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

In a recent report, Bennett highlighted the age-specific, gendered harms that Afghan girls face, including unequal access to education and healthcare, increased risk of exploitation—such as forced marriage, debt bondage, and trafficking—and a lack of protection against violence from both family members and de facto authorities.

While many Islamic countries began celebrating Eid on Sunday, the Taliban, like Pakistan, declared Monday as the first day of Eid al-Adha.