UN Special Rapporteur Condemns Taliban for Institutionalizing Violence in Afghanistan

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, stated that the Taliban administration has perpetuated a cycle of impunity by imposing systematic violence on society, plunging the country into a deep human rights crisis. He stressed that breaking this cycle requires a comprehensive approach and the utilization of all international justice mechanisms.

Mr. Bennett made these remarks on Monday, May 11, during a session titled “In Search of Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation: Foundations for Restoring the Rule of Law in Afghanistan” held in Geneva. The meeting focused on exploring ways to ensure accountability and deliver justice for victims of decades of war and violence in Afghanistan.

According to him, the Afghan people have suffered from decades of war, oppression, and instability, and citizens under 50 years old have never experienced a life without violence. He emphasized that this situation has left the society with deep, unresolved wounds.

The UN Special Rapporteur pointed to issues such as gender-based violence, ethnic and religious discrimination, pressure on sexual minorities, and the spread of injustice under the Taliban administration. He added that extensive restrictions have been imposed on all aspects of people’s lives, especially on women and girls. In his view, the violations of the rights of women and girls are so severe, widespread, and systematic that they could be considered an attack against the civilian population and constitute crimes against humanity, particularly gender-based persecution.

Bennett described this situation as “gender apartheid” and called for this concept to be included as a crime against humanity in the treaty on the prevention and punishment of such offenses, which is currently under international discussion.

These statements come amid the Taliban’s continued failure to provide practical and measurable responses to repeated international demands to respect the fundamental rights of citizens, especially women and girls—a matter that continues to raise deep concern among the global community and human rights activists.