The Taliban has barred Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, from entering Afghanistan, accusing him of spreading propaganda. This decision was announced by the Taliban’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, who stated that Bennett had failed to obtain a travel visa. Balkhi criticized Bennett’s reports as biased and harmful to Afghanistan’s interests.
Bennett, who was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in 2022 to oversee the human rights situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s takeover, has previously condemned the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls as potentially amounting to crimes against humanity. Although Bennett is based outside Afghanistan, he has visited the country several times for research purposes.
In response to the travel ban, Bennett has urged the Taliban to reconsider their decision and affirmed his commitment to continue engaging with Afghans both inside and outside the country. He emphasized his role as a UN-appointed expert, pledging to offer impartial assessments based on international human rights standards.
The Taliban’s foreign ministry has defended its stance, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claiming that Bennett’s visit was prohibited because he was assigned to spread propaganda. Mujahid accused Bennett of exaggerating issues to discredit the Taliban.
Three years into their rule following the withdrawal of foreign forces, the Taliban remains unrecognized by any foreign government. Recognition remains contingent on changes to their policies, particularly regarding women’s rights. The Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women’s education, employment, and mobility, leading to the freezing of Afghanistan’s central bank assets and travel restrictions on senior Taliban officials.
The UN has been working to develop a unified international approach to engaging with the Taliban. Recent efforts included a meeting in Qatar with UN officials and envoys from 25 countries, though it faced criticism for not involving Afghan women and civil society representatives. The UN mission in Afghanistan continues to operate from Kabul, monitoring and reporting on human rights conditions.
