UN expert Richard Bennett warns against normalising Taliban repression in Afghanistan, citing worsening restrictions on women, girls and fundamental rights….reports Asian Lite News Desk
The international community must not allow the Taliban’s restrictions on human rights in Afghanistan to become normalised, a United Nations expert has warned, citing worsening conditions for women, girls and vulnerable communities. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett said the Taliban had intensified systematic discrimination and repression five years after returning to power, with serious consequences for the country’s future.
Presenting his latest report to the UN General Assembly, Bennett urged governments to ensure that diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto authorities did not undermine accountability or legitimise continued human rights violations.
“Five years after the Taliban seized power, it has shown no willingness to reverse their systematic violations of fundamental human rights. Instead, they have continued to deepen and formalise their repression,” Bennett said.
He warned that international engagement should be linked to independently verified improvements in human rights, rather than political recognition without meaningful reforms.
“The international community must stand with the Afghan people, protect their rights and support their future,” Bennett said. “Engagement with the de facto authorities must not confer legitimacy without measurable, independently verified improvements in human rights, nor should it come at the cost of accountability, equality or justice.”
The report highlighted new Taliban decrees that Bennett said had further weakened protections for women and girls. According to the expert, the measures have increased the risks of violence against women, made it extremely difficult for them to leave abusive relationships and permitted practices involving child marriage.
The Special Rapporteur also documented allegations of arbitrary detention, torture, sexual violence, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings. He raised concerns about severe restrictions on freedom of expression and civic space, alongside discrimination affecting ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities.
The report further highlighted the persecution of LGBTI people and the exclusion of people with disabilities, describing a broader pattern of restrictions affecting marginalised communities.
How can the international community address Taliban repression?
Bennett called for stronger international cooperation to investigate alleged abuses and hold those responsible accountable.
“The four arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Taliban leaders mark an important step towards accountability,” the Special Rapporteur said. “I urge States to support the Court and other channels, including the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan and national prosecutions under universal jurisdiction.”
He also urged countries pursuing legal action against Afghanistan under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to accelerate their efforts.
Bennett called for progress towards recognising gender apartheid as a crime under international law, arguing that existing accountability mechanisms must be strengthened to address systematic discrimination.
“Accountability demands sustained political will, international cooperation and determined action to ensure that those responsible for serious violations are brought to justice,” he said.
The UN expert warned that Afghanistan’s younger generation faced lasting consequences from restrictions on education and increasing exposure to gender-based violence, forced and child marriage, child labour and radicalisation.
He said these conditions could damage Afghanistan’s long-term development and potentially create future security risks.
“For girls, the denial of education has serious consequences for their mental health and the country’s development as a whole,” Bennett said. “Despite these conditions, Afghan young people, particularly girls and young women, continue to pursue education and advocate for their rights.”
Addressing the continuing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, Bennett urged both countries to comply with international human rights and humanitarian law and take measures to protect civilians.
“Afghanistan and Pakistan must take precautions to protect civilians and ensure independent investigations and accountability for causing civilian harm.”
The Special Rapporteur also appealed for sustained humanitarian assistance and long-term international support for Afghanistan, particularly in education, healthcare, mine clearance, independent media and civil society.
He stressed the importance of supporting women-led initiatives and ensuring that humanitarian and development assistance continued to reach communities affected by the country’s deepening restrictions.
Bennett warned that without sustained international attention, accountability and support for Afghan communities, the consequences of the Taliban’s policies could extend across generations.
