Earlier this week, the Taliban declared that a human rights expert from the United Nations was not allowed to enter Afghanistan.
The announcement was made on Wednesday August 21 and labeled Richard Bennett—who serves as the international organization’s Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan—as one who promotes “propaganda” and does not boast “professionalism.”
According to Abdul Qahar Balkhi, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s foreign ministry, Bennett was denied a visa to enter the country due to his actions which upset the governing body. The Taliban reportedly asked Bennett to “adhere to professionalism” in his work but has claimed that he instead released information “based on prejudices” as well as “anecdotes” that are “detrimental” to the country and its citizens.
Another Taliban representative, Zabihullah Mujahid, said that Bennett was “prohibited” from entering Afghanistan because of his alleged “assignment” to promote “propaganda” in the country. He further accused him of having “exaggerated” what were broadly described as “small issues,” for the sake of “propaganda.”
Another source revealed that Bennett was “informed” about his ban from the country “several months ago.” It is believed that the United Nations official is being pushed out because he actively speaks out against the Taliban’s notoriously low status on human rights, particularly regarding women. Last March, he suggested in a report that the militant group’s treatment of girls and women could amount to “a crime against humanity.”
In response to news of the ban being shared with the public, Bennett issued a statement through the United Nations, in which he expressed that he “remain[s] committed” to serving the Afghan people despite the “step backwards” in his work.
The human rights official described the Taliban’s decision as a “concerning signal” regarding its relationship with the United Nations when it comes to human rights. He also said that his work is to “engage transparently” with authorities and has provided a “critical assessment” of Afghanistan’s “human rights situation.” He emphasized his “responsibility” to offer “practical recommendations” to resolve issues in this field, which he said he takes “very seriously.”
Bennett further pointed out that he is going to “continue to engage” with citizens and “relevant stakeholders” in Afghanistan as well as “document” the country’s “violations” to improve human rights standards for its people.
