Kabul, August 19, 2024: The Taliban authorities have barred Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan from entering the country, a diplomatic source confirmed to AFP on Tuesday. Bennett, who has held the role for two years, was reportedly informed of the decision several months ago.
This move comes as the Taliban, since their return to power in August 2021, have enforced strict interpretations of Islamic law, particularly targeting women’s rights. The UN has labeled these policies as “gender apartheid,” with women being excluded from secondary and higher education, restricted from most jobs, and banned from public spaces like parks and gyms unless accompanied by a male relative.
Despite mounting criticism from the international community, the Taliban have dismissed concerns, asserting that their issue lies not with human rights monitoring but with Bennett himself. The Taliban government spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, accused Bennett of exaggerating issues for propaganda, making him untrustworthy in their view.
Bennett has been a vocal critic of the Taliban’s policies, especially regarding women’s rights. He recently joined 29 other UN experts in urging the international community not to normalize relations with the Taliban due to their “appalling human rights violations.” Bennett also condemned the exclusion of human rights and Afghan women’s voices from UN-hosted talks in Qatar, highlighting the severe implications of sidelining these issues.
The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, did not confirm the ban but emphasized the importance of cooperation with special rapporteurs, who are crucial to the global human rights framework. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) continues to monitor and report on human rights within the country, despite the Taliban’s growing resistance to external scrutiny.
The Taliban government remains unrecognized by any state, with its harsh policies, particularly towards women, being a major barrier to international legitimacy. The barring of Bennett underscores the increasing isolation of the Taliban and raises concerns about the future of human rights monitoring in Afghanistan.
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