Rights Groups Urge UN to Renew Afghanistan Rapporteur Mandate

Ahead of the United Nations Human Rights Council's 63rd session, nearly 100 rights organizations have submitted a joint letter urging the body to fully renew the mandate of Richard Bennett, the special rapporteur on Afghanistan. The coalition, which includes prominent international bodies and domestic civil society groups, seeks to ensure that dedicated scrutiny of human rights conditions in the country continues without interruption. According to Amu TV, the appeal emphasizes the need for sustained reporting and direct participation by Afghan women in international deliberations.

The organizations argue that the humanitarian and legal landscape in Afghanistan has deteriorated rather than stabilized in the five years since the Taliban’s return to power. They cite a range of severe violations, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and enforced disappearances targeting journalists, activists, and former government officials. The letter further highlights that ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities continue to face targeted discrimination and violence, a trend the groups say remains unresolved and deeply concerning.

Escalating restrictions on women's rights

A central focus of the appeal is the systematic exclusion of women and girls from public life. The signatories note that girls remain barred from secondary education and higher education institutions, while women face extensive limitations on employment, movement, and legal autonomy. New measures introduced in 2026 have further restricted rights related to domestic violence, marriage, and judicial separation, according to the letter.

The groups describe these cumulative actions as an escalating effort to deprive women of their legal protections and social presence. They urge the council to maintain a specific reporting track for women and girls, distinct from the broader annual report, to keep this critical issue at the forefront of the international agenda. The letter stresses that Afghan women must remain active participants in discussions about the country's future, rather than passive subjects of external policy.

Push for independent investigative mechanism

In addition to renewing the rapporteur’s mandate, the coalition is pressing the Human Rights Council to accelerate the operationalization of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan. This body is designed to gather and preserve evidence of international crimes and other serious human rights violations committed in the country. The organizations argue that establishing this mechanism is a prerequisite for any future accountability processes and justice efforts.

The appeal calls for a swift transition from political agreement to practical implementation, ensuring that the mechanism has the necessary resources and mandate to function effectively. By linking the renewal of the rapporteur's role with the launch of this investigative body, the rights groups aim to create a comprehensive framework for monitoring and documenting abuses. The forward-looking question remains whether the council will prioritize these structural changes during its upcoming deliberations.