The Taliban has reportedly blocked Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, from entering the country. This move signifies a concerning development in the Taliban’s engagement with the international community and their willingness to allow scrutiny of their human rights record.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid announced the decision, accusing Bennett of disseminating “propaganda” and presenting a biased perspective on Afghanistan. The Taliban claims that Bennett’s reports distort the actual circumstances within the country and provide misleading information to international bodies, exaggerating minor issues to paint a negative picture.
Richard Bennett, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor the human rights situation in Afghanistan, has been a vocal critic of the Taliban’s actions, particularly the severe restrictions imposed on women and girls. He has previously stated that the Taliban’s policies could constitute crimes against humanity due to their systematic and widespread nature.
In response to being denied entry, Bennett expressed his disappointment, calling it a “step backwards” and a troubling signal regarding the Taliban’s commitment to engaging with the UN on human rights matters. Despite the ban, Bennett affirmed his dedication to continuing his work remotely, engaging with the Afghan people and relevant stakeholders to document ongoing human rights violations.
This action by the Taliban is not unprecedented, as they have previously voiced criticism against the UN’s human rights monitoring efforts, accusing international organizations of focusing solely on negative aspects. The denial of entry to the UN’s key human rights official for Afghanistan raises serious concerns about the de facto authorities’ transparency and their willingness to be held accountable for their human rights practices. This decision is likely to further strain relations between the Taliban and the international community, which has largely withheld formal recognition of their government due to human rights concerns.