Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has released a harrowing report that details extensive abuses under Taliban rule, including allegations of sexual violence against detained women.
The report draws on credible testimonies, describing how women accused of wearing “inappropriate” hijab were detained and subjected to verbal abuse, beatings, and, in some cases, sexual assault. One survivor shared her ordeal: “They beat me as they asked questions, hitting my head on the wall… One of them tore my hijab and then touched my private parts.”
Bennett’s report reveals an alarming rise in gender-based violence, which has been exacerbated by Taliban policies that systematically suppress women’s autonomy and restrict access to legal protections and essential services. He labels these practices as a form of “gender apartheid,” emphasizing that continued international inaction could embolden the Taliban to escalate their repressive policies.
The report also highlights abuses against Afghan children, including forced recruitment and a rise in landmine casualties. Ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Shiites and Hazaras, face increasing persecution, with violence and discrimination deepening their exclusion from Afghan society. Furthermore, the Taliban’s restrictive rule has extended to cultural freedoms, with traditional celebrations and music now banned or heavily censored.
Bennett calls on the global community to demand accountability from the Taliban, warning that unchecked violations in Afghanistan risk normalizing systemic oppression. He stresses the need for a human rights-centered approach to engaging with Afghanistan and requests unrestricted access to monitor conditions on the ground. So far, the Taliban has not issued a response to the report.
