The European Union has expressed deep regret over the Taliban’s decision to impose a travel ban on Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur for Afghanistan.
In a statement, Peter Stano, the EU’s spokesperson for external affairs, urged the Taliban to reconsider their decision and allow Bennett “unhindered access” to the country to “report and document” human rights conditions.
Stano emphasized that the European Union fully supports Bennett’s mandate, which includes assisting Afghanistan’s de facto authorities in meeting international obligations—an effort he described as essential for fostering peace within Afghanistan and with its neighbors.
This follows a statement by Bennett, who revealed in an interview with Amu that the Taliban had informed his team that he would not be permitted to enter Afghanistan.
Despite the travel ban, Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, affirmed that Bennett will continue to monitor and report on the human rights situation in Afghanistan.
