In a stark warning to the international community, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has shed light on the dire state of affairs in the war-torn nation. Bennett emphasized the urgent need for action to address a multitude of challenges that threaten the well-being of Afghan citizens and regional stability.
Afghanistan currently faces a complex web of difficulties, ranging from the Taliban’s repressive policies and practices to a culture of impunity, an ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis, recent deadly earthquakes, and the potential for massive involuntary returns. These issues collectively demand immediate attention to prevent further suffering and potential instability in both Afghanistan and the broader region.
Bennett painted a grim picture, saying, “A grave picture has emerged, providing a glimpse of what may lie ahead for the human rights of many Afghans, particularly women and girls, and also for other groups including human rights defenders, journalists, ethnic and linguistic minorities, LGBTI persons, persons with disabilities, former government officials, and military and security personnel.”
During his presentation to the General Assembly, Bennett expressed concern about the impact of recent earthquakes on vulnerable communities in Herat, urging the international community to step in and provide the necessary assistance. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of viewing humanitarian and development efforts through a human rights lens rather than as binary options, emphasizing the centrality of survivors in these efforts.
The culture of impunity in Afghanistan remains a significant concern, particularly regarding torture and inhumane treatment in detention centers and human rights violations against former government officials and military personnel, despite promises to the contrary.
The Special Rapporteur highlighted the ongoing detention of Afghan citizens exercising their rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression, including human rights defenders. He also underscored the imperative of resuming the education of girls beyond the sixth grade and women’s tertiary education. While the Taliban has stated that the suspension is temporary, Bennett suggested that their actions might amount to gender persecution and the development of a concerning “gender apartheid.”
Another pressing issue raised in the report was the quality of education. The Taliban’s policy of focusing primarily on “madrassa-style” or religious education risks depriving children of a broader range of skills and knowledge. This, combined with unemployment and poverty, could potentially lay the foundation for radicalized ideas, increasing the risk of homegrown terrorism and regional and global instability.
While Bennett welcomed the recent release of journalists, he cautioned that their arrests had already created a chilling effect and further diminished Afghanistan’s already weakened civic space. He also expressed concerns that the international community might be drifting toward normalization of the situation, potentially sidelining human rights concerns in favor of geopolitical interests.
In closing, the UN expert appealed to Member States to decisively stand up for human rights and show solidarity with Afghan women and girls. The multifaceted challenges facing Afghanistan demand immediate action to alleviate suffering, safeguard human rights, and prevent a further deterioration of the situation, with the potential to destabilize not only the country but the entire region.
