Richard Bennett, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, expressed his continued commitment to the Afghan people despite the Taliban’s recent announcement that he would no longer be permitted to enter the country.
Bennett described the decision as a “step backwards” and a troubling signal regarding the Taliban’s willingness to engage with the United Nations and the international community on human rights issues.
“The Taliban’s public announcement that they will no longer grant me access to Afghanistan is a step backwards and sends a concerning signal about their engagement with the United Nations and the international community on human rights,” Bennett said in a statement.
Bennett emphasized that throughout his tenure, he has sought to engage transparently with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities, offering critical assessments of the human rights situation in the country and making practical recommendations for improvement. He urged the Taliban to reconsider their decision and reiterated his willingness to travel to Afghanistan, despite not having been able to visit for over a year.
“As an U.N.-appointed independent expert, I take my responsibilities very seriously,” Bennett stated, highlighting his commitment to providing impartial assessments based on internationally recognized human rights standards. He added that despite the Taliban’s stance, he would continue to engage with the people of Afghanistan, both within and outside the country, and would persist in documenting human rights violations and advocating for improvements.
“I remain committed to the people of Afghanistan and to supporting a stable, inclusive, and prosperous country at peace with itself and its neighbors,” Bennett said.
Bennett was appointed as the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan on April 1, 2022, and officially assumed his duties on May 1, 2022. His role was established by the Human Rights Council in response to the deteriorating human rights situation following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
Special Rapporteurs are part of the U.N. Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts within the U.N. Human Rights system. These experts work on a voluntary basis, are independent of any government or organization, and do not receive a salary for their work. They are tasked with investigating and reporting on specific country situations or thematic issues globally.
