Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur for Afghanistan, on Wednesday called for the voices of Afghan refugees to be included in international discussions and policy decisions. Speaking during a virtual event hosted by Shahmama, Bennett emphasized the need to strengthen and improve refugee rights globally.
“Whatever the political dimension is… we must respect refugee rights,” Bennett said, urging long-term solutions for Afghan refugees.
Bennett highlighted Afghanistan’s long history as a major source of refugees, citing decades of conflict as the root cause. He noted that since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, new waves of migration have emerged due to escalating restrictions and human rights violations.
“Life has become extremely challenging, especially for women, girls, and minorities, including ethnic and religious groups,” Bennett said, pointing to these factors as drivers of the current exodus.
The rapporteur expressed concern about the economic and social difficulties Afghan refugees face in host countries. He suggested that the burden of supporting refugees should fall primarily on nations that were part of NATO and other alliances involved in Afghanistan over the past two decades.
Bennett proposed a burden-sharing mechanism, including financial assistance for host countries, to ensure fair support for refugees and the communities accommodating them.
