Thursday, 22 May 2025
America Age
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Font ResizerAa
America AgeAmerica Age
Search
  • Trending
  • World
  • Politics
  • Opinion
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Money
    • Crypto & NFTs
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion / Beauty
    • Art & Books
    • Culture
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
America Age > Blog > World > UN official expresses concern on rights in Afghanistan
World

UN official expresses concern on rights in Afghanistan

Enspirers | Editorial Board
Share
UN official expresses concern on rights in Afghanistan
SHARE

ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan on Thursday expressed concern over the deterioration of rights in the country and called on the ruling Taliban to reverse new restrictions on women.

Richard Bennet spoke to journalists at the end of an 11-day visit to Afghanistan, his first since being named last month to his post.

His visit came as the Taliban, who seized power when they overran the capital of Kabul in mid-August as the United States and NATO were in the final weeks of their withdrawal from Afghanistan, have started enforcing a sharply tougher line.

In recent weeks, they issued edicts requiring women to cover their faces except for their eyes, including women presenters on TV, and banned girls from attending school past the sixth grade.

At the same time, Afghanistan has seen persistent bombings and other attacks on civilians, often targeting the mainly Shiite Muslim ethnic Hazara minority. Most of the attacks have been claimed by the Islamic State group’s affiliate in the country, which is a bitter rival of the Taliban.

Bennett said Afghanistan’s de facto authorities — referring to the Taliban — have failed to acknowledge the magnitude and gravity of abuses being committed, many of them in their name, and their responsibility to address them and protect the entire population.

“I expressed serious concern about the deterioration of human rights across the country, and the erasure of women from public life is especially concerning,” Bennett told reporters. In a statement issued at the same time, he called on the Taliban to “immediately reverse policies and directives that negatively impact women.”

His comments follow a statement Tuesday from the U.N. Security Council that called on the Taliban to “swiftly reverse” restrictions limiting girls’ access to education and women’s employment, freedom of movement and “full, equal and meaningful participation in public life.”

The new edicts have brought the country closer to the harsh measures imposed by the Taliban when they first ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. At that time, they subjected women to overwhelming restrictions, banning them from education and participation in public life and requiring them to wear the all-encompassing burqa.

During his visit, Bennett held talks with Taliban leaders as well as toured the country, meeting civil society groups, rights activists and minority communities, including the Hazaras.

Speaking to the press, he called for investigations into the militant bombings targeting the Hazaras, other Shiites as well as Sufis, a mystical trend of Sunni and Shiite Islam that militants revile as heretical.

Such attacks “are becoming increasingly systematic in nature and reflect elements of an organizational policy,” he said, adding that they show “the hallmarks of crimes against humanity.”

On Wednesday, at least 14 people were killed in a series of explosions. In one, a bomb ripped through a mosque in Kabul where people were praying, killing five and wounding 22. In the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, three minivans were hit by bombs, killing nine and wounding 15, all of them Shiites. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the minivan bombings.

Bennett also pointed to “a high number” of reports of intimidation, harassment, attacks, arrests and in some cases killing or disappearances by authorities targeting journalists, prosecutors and judges, as well as civil society for exercising their right to peaceful assembly and association.

Bennet said the Taliban stand at a crossroads, where either society would become more stable and a place where “every Afghan enjoys freedom and human rights — or it will become increasingly restricted.”

If the Taliban can meet benchmarks, including opening schools fully for girls, establishing a more representative administration and allowing dialogue, he said, “the risks of further instability and suffering in Afghanistan may be mitigated.”

Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Doctors, hospitals in crisis-hit Lebanon go on 2-day strike Doctors, hospitals in crisis-hit Lebanon go on 2-day strike
Next Article Having trouble hearing your TV? This mini soundbar enhances dialogue — and it’s  off for Memorial Day Having trouble hearing your TV? This mini soundbar enhances dialogue — and it’s $40 off for Memorial Day

Your Trusted Source for Accurate and Timely Updates!

Our commitment to accuracy, impartiality, and delivering breaking news as it happens has earned us the trust of a vast audience. Stay ahead with real-time updates on the latest events, trends.
FacebookLike
TwitterFollow
InstagramFollow
LinkedInFollow
MediumFollow
QuoraFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad image

Popular Posts

Three Members of Household Gospel Group The Nelons Killed in Aircraft Crash

Three members of the hit gospel household band The Nelons have died in a aircraft…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Use software program to automate small stuff, tech leaders advise

Courted CEO Sean Soderstrom, Zoocasa CEO Carrie Lysenko and Bramlett Residential Actual Property proprietor Eric…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Venezuela releases 7 jailed Americans; US frees 2 prisoners

WASHINGTON (AP) — Venezuela on Saturday freed seven Americans imprisoned in the South American country…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

Murphy says Biden ‘right to raise the risk of nuclear conflict’

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Sunday said President Biden was “right to raise the risk…

By Enspirers | Editorial Board

You Might Also Like

Kids and aged are dying from hunger in Gaza, says well being minister
World

Kids and aged are dying from hunger in Gaza, says well being minister

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Two Israeli embassy workers shot useless close to Washington DC Jewish museum
World

Two Israeli embassy workers shot useless close to Washington DC Jewish museum

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Tributes paid to 2 Israeli embassy employees killed in Washington DC as world leaders condemn taking pictures – newest
World

Tributes paid to 2 Israeli embassy employees killed in Washington DC as world leaders condemn taking pictures – newest

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
Germany boosts Nato’s japanese flank amid risk from Russia – Europe stay
World

Germany boosts Nato’s japanese flank amid risk from Russia – Europe stay

By Enspirers | Editorial Board
America Age
Facebook Twitter Youtube

About US


America Age: Your instant connection to breaking stories and live updates. Stay informed with our real-time coverage across politics, tech, entertainment, and more. Your reliable source for 24/7 news.

Company
  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
© 2024 America Age. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?