The Taliban has barred the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, from entering the country. This decision, announced by a Taliban spokesperson, accuses Bennett of spreading “propaganda” and presenting a biased view of the situation in Afghanistan.
Bennett, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022, has been a vocal critic of the Taliban’s human rights record, particularly their treatment of women and girls. He has previously stated that the Taliban’s policies could amount to crimes against humanity, a characterization strongly rejected by the de facto authorities in Kabul.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that Bennett was no longer welcome in Afghanistan, alleging that his reports misrepresented “the ground realities” and provided misleading information to the international community. He claimed that Bennett exaggerated minor issues and propagated them to international organizations.
In response, Bennett expressed his disappointment, calling the ban “a step backwards” and a “concerning signal” regarding the Taliban’s engagement with the UN and the international community on human rights. Despite the ban, Bennett affirmed his commitment to continue engaging with the Afghan people, both inside and outside the country, and with other relevant stakeholders. He emphasized his intention to continue documenting human rights violations and abuses.
This is not the first time the Taliban has criticized the UN’s human rights monitoring efforts. The de facto authorities have previously accused international organizations of focusing solely on negative aspects and overlooking any positive developments under their rule.
The Taliban’s decision to bar the UN’s human rights envoy raises concerns about their willingness to engage with international scrutiny of their human rights practices. It also comes at a time when the human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly for women and girls, remains dire according to numerous international reports. This action may further isolate the Taliban from the international community and hinder efforts to address the country’s complex challenges.