Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has called on the Taliban to reverse its policies restricting the rights and freedoms of women and girls. In a statement supporting a recent declaration by 13 members of the U.N. Security Council, Bennett condemned the Taliban’s systemic discrimination and gender-based oppression.
“We condemn the Taliban’s continued systemic gender discrimination and oppression of women and girls in Afghanistan,” Bennett wrote on X. “We once again urge the Taliban to swiftly reverse all policies and practices that restrict the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.”
Bennett’s remarks came shortly after the Security Council members issued a similar call on September 6, following the Taliban’s announcement of a new morality law. The law is expected to further limit the rights of women, particularly in education, employment, and freedom of movement.
In their joint statement, the Security Council members expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s escalating restrictions. “The Taliban must listen to and respond to the voices of Afghan women and girls by respecting their rights to education and work, as well as their freedoms of expression and movement,” the statement said.
Representatives from Ecuador, France, Guyana, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States were among those calling for an urgent reversal of the Taliban’s policies. They warned that the morality law would only deepen existing restrictions and empower inspectors to enforce the regime’s harsh directives.
“This latest decree deepens the already unacceptable restrictions on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans,” the statement read. “It will negatively impact generations to come.”
The Security Council has consistently raised alarms over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. In April 2023, the Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2681, which called for the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and girls in all aspects of Afghan society.
“This is a prerequisite for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan,” the members said, urging other nations and international organizations to use their influence to press for change.
The Council further criticized the Taliban’s refusal to allow Bennett into Afghanistan, calling it “disturbing and unacceptable.” They emphasized Afghanistan’s obligations under international law, particularly the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which Afghanistan is a party to.
“We reiterate our full support for the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan,” the Council added.
The Security Council members pledged to continue monitoring the situation closely, highlighting the impact of the Taliban’s policies on the lives of Afghan women and girls. “Afghan women and girls have suffered for far too long,” the statement concluded. “They are losing hope for their future. This is unacceptable.”
