As Muslims around the world marked Eid al-Adha, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett used the occasion to highlight the importance of human rights and dignity, offering a message of solidarity with the Afghan people.
“Wishing a blessed Eid al-Adha to all Muslims,” Bennett wrote on X. “May this festival bring hope for a future where every individual lives with freedom, dignity, and equal rights.”
He added a pointed message directed to the people of Afghanistan: “Your strength in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.”
The statement comes amid growing international concern over deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Restrictions on education, employment and movement — along with reports of reprisals against dissent — have drawn condemnation from human rights groups and Western governments.
Bennett, who was appointed to his post in 2022, has repeatedly urged the Taliban to reverse what he has called “institutionalized discrimination” against women and to respect international obligations.
