UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett Criticizes Taliban Policies and Urges Afghan Diaspora to Play Active Role
Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, criticized the Taliban’s policies once again at a special session on the Afghan crisis in the French Parliament. He called on the Afghan diaspora to take a more active role in shaping the country’s future and to foster hope within Afghanistan. He emphasized that Afghanistan is at a critical juncture and that participation from Afghans living abroad could be decisive in determining the country’s path forward.
Bennett highlighted the situation of women under Taliban rule, describing the extensive restrictions and strict laws imposed on women and girls as a clear example of “gender apartheid.” He characterized international calls to criminalize this phenomenon as a hopeful measure and stated that the global community must focus on Afghanistan’s future and the protection of its citizens’ fundamental rights.
At the same time, Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, warned at the session that if the Afghan diaspora does not become a voice of hope and initiative for people inside and outside the country, Afghanistan risks being sidelined once again. He added that without active engagement from Afghans abroad, decision-making about the country’s future may increasingly fall into the hands of foreign actors.
Nabil referred to the developments following September 11 and said if a similar event occurs again, intelligence agencies might implement their pre-prepared plans in Afghanistan, a scenario in which, according to him, the Afghan diaspora would lose its opportunity to influence outcomes.
Bennett also urged Afghans residing in France to share their views and proposals with him for use in continuing his mission. Having served as the UN Special Rapporteur for four years, he announced that he has two years remaining in his mandate.
The UN Special Rapporteur traveled to Paris to participate in a meeting with Afghan activists and French representatives and met on the sidelines with members of the French Parliament and diplomats.
Richard Bennett is a prominent critic of the Taliban administration’s policies, particularly regarding the rights of women and girls. His documented reports on the human rights situation in Afghanistan have repeatedly attracted extensive attention. However, the Taliban administration has banned his entry into Afghanistan and refused to cooperate with him.
