The Taliban has barred the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, from entering the country, a diplomatic source informed Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Tuesday.
According to the source, Bennett was informed several months ago that his return to Afghanistan would not be welcomed.
This decision follows local media reports quoting Taliban government spokespersons confirming the ban.
Diplomatic sources indicated that the Taliban’s decision to deny Bennett entry is not related to monitoring human rights or reporting potential violations but is instead tied to a personal issue with Bennett.
Earlier on Tuesday, Afghanistan’s Tolo News quoted Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, who stated that Bennett was barred from entering because his mission in Afghanistan was perceived as “propaganda,” and they do not trust his statements.
Mujahid added that Bennett had exaggerated minor issues for propaganda purposes. In late June, Bennett condemned the Taliban’s decision to exclude Afghan women and civil society representatives from a UN-hosted meeting in Qatar.
In New York, the spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric neither confirmed nor denied the ban but emphasized the importance of the role of Special Rapporteurs in the global human rights framework, urging full cooperation with them.
Special Rapporteurs like Bennett are independent experts within the UN’s Special Procedures framework, under the Human Rights Council based in Geneva.
Despite the ban, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) continues to monitor and report on the human rights situation in the country.
