Information
The Taliban, currently acting as the de facto rulers of Afghanistan, have prohibited UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, Richard Bennett, from entering the country. Labelling him as a propagandist whose reports they cannot trust, the Taliban’s decision reflects a broader resistance to international scrutiny. Bennett has condemned this exclusion, terming it a “retrograde” move, and has reiterated his readiness to engage transparently with the Taliban authorities. He emphasises the regressive nature of this ban, highlighting it as a setback in the Taliban’s engagement with both the UN and the global community concerning human rights issues in Afghanistan.
Since reclaiming power in August 2021, the Taliban have drastically reversed advancements in gender equality under their strict interpretation of Islamic law, instituting what has been described as ‘gender apartheid’. These policies have included severe restrictions on women’s rights, including access to education and employment, leading to international condemnation and a lack of recognition of their governance as legitimate. Furthermore, despite some international efforts to engage with the Taliban, such as a notable meeting in Qatar with UN officials and representatives from 25 countries, the Taliban’s stringent policies and exclusion of Afghan women from these discussions have only reinforced their isolation from global acceptance. Meanwhile, Richard Bennett vows to continue his work from outside Afghanistan, documenting human rights abuses and advocating for improvements despite the challenges posed by the Taliban’s stance.
Source: AFP, Reuters
So what
It seems unlikely that many people would be surprised by this course of action for the Taliban, as they made it clear from the outset that this was their intent. Regardless of what the international community might say about them, and even if they refuse to recognise them, they are highly unlikely to change these policies. While Bennett may continue to do great work highlighting these events, if he was to return, it would possibly cost him his life.
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