UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan: The Voices and Rights of Women Must Be Prominent at the Doha Meeting with the Taliban

The UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan warned about the marginalization of women's voices and rights at the upcoming international meeting with the Taliban in Doha. Richard Bennett presented his latest report on the escalating violations of the rights of Afghan women and girls by the Taliban to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Tuesday. He stated, "Following extensive research, consultation, and analysis, it has been determined that the Taliban's institutionalized gender oppression, which is created and enforced through the violation of the fundamental rights of women and girls, is widespread and systematic, constituting an attack on the entire civil society and a crime against humanity." This UN expert said, "The severity and scale of the crimes are vast, and we have a collective responsibility to challenge and dismantle this horrific system and hold its perpetrators accountable." Bennett presented this report as the United Nations prepares to host a two-day meeting of special representatives of countries on Afghanistan in Doha, Qatar. The Taliban will also participate for the first time in this third Doha meeting. Reports indicate that Afghan civil society groups have not been invited to the upcoming Doha meeting, while they attended the second meeting in February. The Taliban refused to attend the second meeting, insisting that their representatives be the only representatives of Afghanistan. The United Nations states that the Doha meeting aims to establish a coherent and unified global approach to engage with the Taliban. Bennett emphasized that the upcoming meeting is an important opportunity to affirm that civil society members, including women, must have a meaningful presence and that women's rights should be prominently featured in the discussions. He added, "The Taliban is not recognized as a government and should not be treated as one. They should not be allowed to dictate the terms of UN meetings." Bennett stressed that marginalizing human rights could have destructive and long-lasting consequences. The Taliban has rejected international criticism of its governance, including restrictions on women's access to education and employment, claiming that this policy aligns with Afghan culture and their interpretation of Islamic laws. A spokesperson for the Taliban's foreign ministry confirmed that a delegation from their side would attend the third Doha meeting. Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated, "If changes are made to the agenda, it will influence our decision." Richard Bennett urged the international community to consider human rights and the voices of women in political processes and diplomatic interactions with the Taliban. Sexual violence by the Taliban against Afghanistan's sexual and gender minorities was discussed with Artemis Akbari. The International Olympic Committee stated that no Taliban officials would be allowed to attend the Paris Olympics. A UN reporter noted that an American citizen in Taliban custody urgently needs medical services. A senior Taliban official's visit to the UAE was reported, with Sirajuddin Haqqani listed among those wanted by the US. Reports from the Islamic Republic indicated Taliban attempts at hostage-taking in the streets of Iran. The UN reported that 80% of female journalists in Afghanistan have become unemployed due to restrictions.