RASC News Agency: Elaine Pearson, the Director of the Asia Division at Human Rights Watch, has strongly condemned the Taliban’s decision to block Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, from entering the country, labeling the move as “disgraceful.” Pearson stated that the prohibition on Bennett’s visit was unsurprising, given the Taliban’s total disregard for human rights. She remarked that preventing Bennett’s entry into Afghanistan clearly indicates the Taliban’s fear of accountability and transparency.
In her statement released on Wednesday, Pearson urged the international community to intensify their efforts to document and hold accountable those responsible for human rights abuses in Afghanistan, especially in light of the Taliban’s latest actions. She underlined that Bennett was appointed by the UN to monitor and report on the situation in Afghanistan, and the Taliban’s refusal to permit his visit is deeply troubling in its own right.
This announcement follows a recent statement by a Taliban spokesperson who declared that the UN Special Rapporteur would no longer be allowed to travel to Afghanistan. The spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, accused Bennett of being a “propagandist” and of disseminating false information about the situation in Afghanistan to international bodies.
In response, Bennett reiterated that his duty is to report on the ongoing situation in Afghanistan accurately, not to fabricate information. He expressed hope that the Taliban would reconsider their decision and allow him to carry out his responsibilities within the country.
