In a striking address at the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Richard Bennett, the U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, underscored the urgent need for unwavering global pressure against Taliban oppression. He cautioned that the Taliban’s human rights abuses are becoming increasingly entrenched, particularly affecting women, minorities, and civil society. Bennett urged that international efforts should not normalise Taliban authority without verifiable human rights advancements, stating, “We must not allow history to repeat itself.”
Bennett denounced the Taliban’s systematic gender-based oppression as potentially tantamount to crimes against humanity. He highlighted their Vice and Virtue Law, which institutionalises discriminatory policies, indicating that gender persecution is an orchestrated strategy rather than incidental. He warned that the Taliban’s continuing oppressive tactics mirror those from their first regime in the 1990s and threaten further restrictions on rights.
Addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis, Bennett revealed that nearly 23 million Afghans require urgent assistance, exacerbated by international aid cuts. He pointed out that the Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on essential services, including barring women from medical studies, which jeopardises healthcare access for many.
Highlighting ongoing violence, Bennett expressed alarm over assaults on ethnic and religious minorities, particularly the Hazaras. He mentioned grievous incidents, such as the killing of male Hazaras and the targeting of Sufi worshippers by ISIS-K, demanding impartial investigations to prevent a resurgence of historical violence.
Bennett also reported an alarming rise in corporal punishment under Taliban rule, with numerous public floggings documented this year. He voiced concerns about torture and sexual violence in detention facilities, illustrating the serious erosion of legal protections and fundamental rights. As Taliban oppression intensifies alongside economic strife, he cautioned that radicalisation among the youth is becoming a grave security threat.
Emphasizing the urgent need for global focus on Afghanistan, Bennett called for continued international accountability to address these systemic rights violations, despite the challenges posed by a U.N. liquidity crisis. He reiterated, “We must not turn our backs on Afghanistan,” advocating for sustained pressure and oversight of the Taliban’s actions to avoid repeating the tragic past.
Richard Bennett, the U.N. special rapporteur, called for continued global pressure on the Taliban during a U.N. Human Rights Council meeting. He highlighted gender-based persecution, a deepening humanitarian crisis, and violence against minorities as critical issues. Bennett warned that the Taliban’s oppressive policies could lead to radicalisation among youth and urged the international community to hold the regime accountable.
Richard Bennett’s alarming report to the U.N. Human Rights Council reveals the dire situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. Gender-based persecution is escalating, minority rights are under siege, and a profound humanitarian crisis looms. With the Taliban’s actions echoing their previous regime’s brutality, the international community is urged to maintain pressure and pursue accountability to protect human rights in Afghanistan.
Original Source: amu.tv
