Nearly 100 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of its Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennett.
The organizations have urged the council to continue Bennett’s mandate as it approaches its scheduled expiration. They argue that continued independent monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation in Afghanistan remains important.
Bennett, who serves as the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has regularly reported on developments affecting women and girls, freedom of expression, minority communities and other human rights concerns in the country.
The call from the rights organizations comes as Afghanistan continues to face international scrutiny over restrictions imposed by the Taliban authorities. The organizations are seeking continued engagement by the UN Human Rights Council through the Special Rapporteur’s mandate.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch are among the organizations supporting the appeal. Their call reflects concerns that continued independent documentation and reporting are needed to monitor the human rights situation and provide information to the international community.
The UN Human Rights Council will determine whether the mandate should be extended as part of its consideration of Afghanistan-related human rights issues.