NEW YORK - Afghanistan is suffering the most extreme and systematic assault on gender equality of our time, warned Richard Bennett, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, in his report to the General Assembly today.
"The severity of the situation cannot be overstated. Dismantling the Taliban's institutionalised system of gender persecution, and addressing the country's myriad human rights crises, demands urgent, principled and sustained international attention and action - not normalisation of the de facto authorities," Bennett said. He stressed the importance of centring women's rights, voices, and agency in all political and decision-making processes.
In his report to the General Assembly, the Special Rapporteur highlighted concerns about an alarming surge in corporal punishments, ongoing disappearances and ill-treatment of members of the former government and security forces, as well as further shrinking of space for the media and civil society, all amid a deepening humanitarian crisis which is being exacerbated by funding cuts.
"Cuts to humanitarian and human rights funding are stripping away the last lines of protection and support for a population already in peril," Bennett said. He urged States to recommit to long-term and sustained funding, particularly for Afghan and women-led organisations.
The expert said that the dire humanitarian situation is being further undermined by restrictions on women humanitarian workers. He noted that the Taliban's restrictions on women national UN staff from attending their workplaces is both unprecedented and unconscionable.
The expert warned that the Taliban is fuelling tensions with ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities due to their disregard of grievances. "The Taliban must end its discriminatory practices and ensure greater representation of marginalised communities in decision-making about Afghanistan's future."
The Special Rapporteur also warned of the long-term risks of the Taliban's rigid ideology, particularly its potential to radicalise a new generation under conditions of oppression, poverty, and hopelessness. "What is happening in Afghanistan today will not be contained within its borders," he said. "The consequences of inaction will be felt more widely."
Bennett condemned the recent wave of mass returns of Afghans from neighbouring countries as well as expressing concern about deportations from several European states. He urged States to respect the principle of non-refoulement, a core tenet of international law.
Despite the current dire situation, the expert stressed that Afghanistan must not be seen as a "lost cause"; egregious human rights violations are not inevitable and must not be tolerated.
"There has been marked progress in the international accountability sphere, with the issuance of arrest warrants by the International Criminal Court, the recent establishment of an Independent Investigative Mechanism and potential movement towards codification of gender apartheid in the proposed treaty on crimes against humanity."
"Turning away now would not only betray the Afghan people - it would undermine the foundations of our shared international system," the Special Rapporteur said.
