A UN expert has raised alarm over the worsening human rights situation in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, citing growing repression and fear as the regime increasingly controls society. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, expressed deep concern over the Taliban’s ongoing crackdown on women and girls, particularly in education, and the broader humanitarian crisis facing the country.
Bennett highlighted the denial of education to Afghan girls beyond the sixth grade, noting that alternative learning methods, such as madrasas and online platforms, have failed to fill the gap. He warned that this lack of education increases the risk of child marriage, labor, abuse, and trafficking, further exacerbating the vulnerability of young girls.
The situation is compounded by an ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis, worsened by Taliban policies, international restrictions, and environmental degradation. Bennett emphasized the dire impact of these issues on Afghans’ access to food, healthcare, and employment.
The Special Rapporteur praised the International Criminal Court’s efforts to issue arrest warrants for Taliban leaders, calling it a crucial step toward holding perpetrators accountable for the rights violations. Bennett also commended the resilience of the Afghan people, who continue to strive for a better future despite facing immense hardship.
In his report, Bennett recommended the codification of gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, urging authorities to uphold basic human rights principles and stop discriminating against Afghans. He also condemned the Taliban’s recent Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, which consolidates discriminatory practices, particularly against women. Bennett warned that the law would further entrench gender-based oppression, calling it “devastating” for the rights of Afghan women and girls.
Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban has implemented severe restrictions on women’s freedoms, including banning girls from secondary education and enforcing strict dress codes. These policies have resulted in widespread limitations on Afghan women’s rights, including their freedom of movement, access to education, and participation in the workforce.
Bennett concluded by calling on the international community to take stronger action to address the human rights abuses in Afghanistan, particularly in relation to the systemic gender-based discrimination now entrenched by the Taliban’s policies.
