UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett
@SR_Afghanistan
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan #humanrights advocate with 30years experience Retweets ≠ endorsement HRC-sr-afghanistan@un
Today marks 3 years as #UN Special Rapporteur on #Afghanistan. To all Afghans standing up for your rights amid repression—I stand with you. The world must not look away as the #HumanRights crisis deepens. Watch the full message 👇
Alarmed by spate of arrests of women&girls in Kabul #Afghanistan for dress code violations reminiscent of early 2024; reportedly more violent. Reflects persistent enforcement of Taliban's systematic gender persecution, causing great fear among Afghans. Urge support after release.
UNAMA is concerned by the arrest of numerous women & girls in Kabul between 16-19 July due to their alleged non-compliance with the de facto authorities’ hijab instructions. UNAMA has engaged with #Afghanistan's de facto authorities to seek further information.
The cruelty of the Taliban, so often inflicted on #Afghan detainees, and women and girls, has also extended to the British Reynolds couple, aged 80 & 75, detained for 5+ months in poor health and reportedly without charges. I urge immediate and adequate medical care and release.
Afghanistan: UN experts urge #Taliban to release older British couple Peter & Barbie Reynolds, arbitrarily detained without charges since February & held in underground cells, as their health deteriorates. ohchr.org/en/press-relea…
Highly concerned by #Germany deporting 81 Afghans with Taliban & #Qatar cooperation. More likely to follow! Urge immediate halt of deportations. Even if criminals, int’l law applies incl. non-refoulement; flights to #Afghanistan where they’ll face real danger is not the solution.
Deeply alarmed by reports of the imminent deportation of a group of at-risk Afghans from #UAE and urge the Government there to halt plans immediately. I repeat: #Afghanistan is not safe, and those forced to return are at significant risk of persecution and violent reprisals.
We are witnessing a human rights crisis of global proportions. A staggering number of #Afghans, incl refugees, forcibly returned from #Iran & #Pakistan with threats or actual returns from other countries. States abandoning their moral & legal responsibilities must reverse course.
We are witnessing a human rights crisis of global proportions. A staggering number of #Afghans, incl refugees, forcibly returned from #Iran & #Pakistan with threats or actual returns from other countries. States abandoning their moral & legal responsibilities must reverse course.
UN experts condemn ongoing mass returns of #Afghan nationals – many of them #refugees – from Iran & Pakistan. They call for returns to be halted immediately, saying Afghanistan is not a safe country for returnees since the #Taliban seized control. ohchr.org/en/press-relea…
UN Human Rights Chief @volker_turk urges prompt reversal of #US sanctions against a Special Rapporteur of the UN Human Rights Council, @FranceskAlbs, in response to work she has undertaken under the mandate on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories.…
Imposition of sanctions on Special Rapporteurs sets a dangerous precedent, says UN Spokesperson “The use of unilateral sanctions against Special Rapporteurs, or any other UN expert or official is unacceptable” news.un.org/en/story/2025/…
Pleased to join other UN experts welcoming ICC arrest warrants for Taliban leaders. A powerful affirmation to people of #Afghanistan, especially women&girls, that they are seen, heard & believed. This is a positive step to tackle impunity while much more action is still needed.
Afghanistan: UN experts welcome arrest warrants for senior #Taliban leaders. These warrants mark a vital step to justice for people of Afghanistan, esp. women & girls who have endured nearly 4 years of institutionalised gender persecution. @IntlCrimCourt ohchr.org/en/press-relea…
Echoing statement below condemning US Gov’t sanctioning my colleague, Special Rapporteur @FranceskAlbs. Her superb work documenting & exposing grave violations of IHRL and IHL by Israel & others should be supported by States, not sanctioned. Solidarity with Francesca Albanese!
The @UN_SPExperts Coordination Committee strongly condemns the US Govt sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese @FranceskAlbs & calls on all States, @UN_HRC & int'l community to act decisively to condemn this unjustified attack. ohchr.org/en/press-relea…
I welcome GA #Afghanistan res. reinforcing importance of human rights for lasting peace; Afghan women participation; need for investigations of violations and more. Apparent prioritising of refugee returns concerning & contrasts with previous recognition of resettlement & support
The UN General Assembly adopts resolution expressing deep concern over #Afghanistan’s deteriorating humanitarian, economic and human rights conditions, urging the Taliban to reverse repressive policies and ensure inclusive governance news.un.org/en/story/2025/…
We must not normalise the Taliban without verified, sustained improvements in human rights, particularly for women & girls. Disappointed by Russia’s recognition that sets a dangerous precedent, emboldening regimes in #Afghanistan & beyond that violate human rights with impunity.
Hundreds of Afghans & members of ethnic & religious minorities detained #Iran accused of “espionage”. Also reports of incitement to discrimination & violence in the media labeling Afghans & minority communities as traitors & using dehumanising language. See our full statement👇
UN experts urge #Iran to choose protection over repression after ceasefire, expressing concern over reports of executions, enforced disappearances, and mass arrests since hostilities began on 13 June 2025. ohchr.org/en/press-relea…
The Taliban’s latest policy on talk shows, which imposes severe restrictions on #Afghanistan’s already tightly controlled media, is deeply concerning. It marks another dark day for press freedom and a further sign of intensifying censorship and authoritarianism in the country.
UN experts condemn United States🇺🇸attack on Iran 🇮🇷and demand permanent end to hostilities: " At a time of crisis for multilateralism, all countries should oppose such lawlessness & pressure the US & Israel to respect the universal rules of humanity". ohchr.org/en/press-relea…
UN expert @SR_Afghanistan warns that Taliban is instrumentalizing legal and justice sectors in Afghanistan to entrench an institutionalized system of gender oppression, persecution and domination and abolish protections for women and girls. #HRC59 ohchr.org/en/press-relea…
د افغانستان له پاره د ملګرو ملتونو د شورا ځانګړي راپور ورکوونکي ښاغلي ریچارډ بینټ سره دجنیوا د ۵۹ غونډي اړوند د څراغ تلوېزیون ځانګړې مرکه. @SR_Afghanistan
I share the concerns of @drmaisato & wish to highlight the situation of 5 million+ Afghans, including refugees, in Iran who fear for their safety. I echo calls for restraint on both sides & respect for int. law & urge efforts to protect civilians, including refugees #Afghanistan
The Israeli strikes on Iran, occurring just days before planned US-Iran talks in Oman, are deeply concerning and risk undermining diplomatic efforts toward a peaceful resolution. I am closely monitoring the human rights impact of this escalation, particularly its effects on…