Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, has warned that Afghanistan’s relentless deterioration in human rights must not fall to the wayside.
Bennett, who has been closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan, stressed that human rights abuses have spiraled under Taliban rule, affecting countless citizens, with women facing a uniquely severe level of oppression.
In an interview with UN News, Bennett urged the international community to stay true to its commitments to Afghanistan.
“Nowhere else in the world are women subject to such severe mistreatment as in Afghanistan,” he said, calling attention to the Afghan women and girls who have borne the brunt of the Taliban’s restrictive governance. He outlined how rights and freedoms have been systematically eroded since the Taliban’s return to power, leaving many groups—from women to minorities, and journalists to human rights activists—struggling to cope.
Rights deterioration across all sectors of Afghan society
Bennett highlighted the sense of fear and insecurity felt by former government officials, including military and civilian personnel, as well as journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society members who have been outspoken against Taliban rule. These individuals, he explained, frequently face harassment or feel compelled to go into hiding.
Many are fearful for their lives, while others, having been forced from their professions, are left financially vulnerable.
Bennett particularly emphasized the impact of Taliban policies on Afghan girls and boys, noting the severe restrictions placed on education.
“Girls, and increasingly boys, are either denied education beyond the sixth grade or are limited to a curriculum that leaves them unprepared for a modern world,” he explained. The restrictions, he said, threaten the nation’s future by creating generations deprived of education and job opportunities.
Forced migration and its enormous costs
The dire conditions within Afghanistan have pushed many to flee, often under difficult and costly circumstances. Bennett underscored that many Afghan citizens—deeply attached to their homeland—leave only when they feel they have no other options.
“Many have told us they wished they didn’t have to undertake this arduous journey, which comes with immense financial, emotional, and physical tolls,” he said. Professionals such as judges, lawyers, journalists, and government employees are among those most affected, driven away by insecurity and restrictive Taliban policies.
Taliban policies and the tightening grip on public life
Bennett also highlighted the Taliban’s enforcement of restrictive social policies that regulate citizens’ daily lives. Men are required to grow beards, women must wear face coverings, and women are often not allowed to travel without a male guardian. Violating these rules can lead to severe consequences, including punishment by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.
According to Bennett, these restrictions go beyond the individual level, with repercussions for broader public life. Some television channels have been shut down for displaying human images, and women’s voices have effectively been silenced in public spaces. “One particularly shocking development is the prohibition of women’s voices in public spaces, which has deeply disturbed many outside Afghanistan,” he remarked. These new restrictions, Bennett believes, show the Taliban’s intent to build an “Islamic Emirate” governed by their interpretation of religious doctrine, which imposes extreme limitations on personal and civil liberties.
UN assessment
In response to a request from the UN Security Council, an independent assessment has been conducted to guide the international community’s response to Afghanistan’s deteriorating situation. While the report lacks detailed action steps, Bennett emphasized its significance as a foundational framework for potential reforms. He envisions a future in which Afghanistan might one day reintegrate into the international community, provided that it undertakes “measurable, verified improvements in human rights, particularly for women and girls.”
Bennett acknowledged that this framework, though modest, could serve as a critical first step in rebuilding a society that respects rights and upholds peace within its borders and with its neighbors.
Challenges of Doha process and rights-based priorities
Bennett commented on the Doha Process, which has so far progressed slowly, voicing concerns about whether key issues—such as the rights of women and the inclusion of civil society—are truly being prioritized. “To date, two working groups have been established, yet neither has begun its meetings,” he observed.
Bennett suggested that additional mechanisms are needed to ensure that human rights and the role of civil society remain central to discussions about Afghanistan’s future. Without this, he warned, Afghanistan risks becoming further isolated and entrenched in autocratic rule.
Landmines and explosive remnants: A lingering threat to civilians
Afghanistan’s landscape, marked by years of conflict, is contaminated with explosive remnants of war, posing grave risks to civilians.
Bennett highlighted that nearly 60 percent of Afghanistan’s population is under 20 years old, with children making up about 85 percent of civilian casualties caused by unexploded ordnance. This lingering threat, he said, continues to disrupt daily life and claims lives even in times of relative peace.
Bennett called for robust international support in clearing mines and educating local communities, underscoring the need for both immediate intervention and sustained long-term programs to safeguard civilians.
Ensuring humanitarian aid reaches those most in need
As the Taliban enforces increasingly harsh measures, Bennett stressed the importance of sustaining humanitarian aid while ensuring that it reaches those who genuinely need it. “Humanitarian aid must be closely monitored to prevent it from being diverted to Taliban leadership,” he warned, adding that vulnerable groups—including people with disabilities, female-headed households, the elderly, and children—should be prioritized in distribution efforts.
Aid, Bennett noted, should not only cover basic necessities but also include critical support like mine awareness and legal assistance for those facing the Taliban’s strict judicial policies.
An overburdened and dismantled legal system
Since the Taliban’s rise to power, Afghanistan’s legal system has suffered major setbacks. The Taliban has abolished the previous constitution and dismissed countless judges and prosecutors, leaving a weakened judiciary struggling to meet even basic judicial needs. Bennett expressed concern over the absence of legal expertise and transparent laws, which he argued compromises Afghanistan’s obligations to international human rights standards.
“Courts continue to operate in some capacity, addressing local disputes, but the lack of trained legal professionals and clear guidelines obstructs justice and increases vulnerability for Afghan citizens,” he noted.
The call for a unified international strategy
In closing, Bennett appealed to the United Nations and the global community to adopt a cohesive and unified strategy for Afghanistan. He underscored the importance of amplifying the voices of Afghan civil society, including women and marginalized groups, to shape a future that prioritizes their rights and freedoms over political considerations.
“Afghanistan’s citizens deserve a future grounded in human rights, where international priorities align not with regional interests but with the welfare of Afghan people,” Bennett said, calling for coordinated efforts to rebuild a stable and rights-respecting Afghanistan.
