Afghanistan Peace CampaignRichard Bennett has consistently criticized what he described as human rights violations in Afghanistan in his reports.
In a recent development, the Islamic Emirate has officially prohibited Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, from entering the country.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, explained that the decision to impose a travel ban on Bennett stemmed from his alleged dissemination of propaganda against Afghanistan.
Mujahid further accused Richard Bennett of misrepresenting the realities on the ground in Afghanistan to the international community, providing what he described as inaccurate and misleading information.
“Mr. Bennett’s travel to Afghanistan has been prohibited because he was assigned to spread propaganda in Afghanistan. He is not someone we trust. He is not in Afghanistan, and he is no longer permitted to come here. He used to exaggerate minor issues and propagate them,” he said.
The UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan has consistently criticized what he described as human rights violations in Afghanistan in his reports.
However, the Islamic Emirate has consistently dismissed Richard Bennett’s criticisms as being far from the current realities in Afghanistan.
Fazal Rahman Oria, a political analyst, said: “Mr. Bennett failed to respect the legitimacy of the current government and violated the legal legitimacy of the current administration.”
Another political analyst, Moeen Gul Samkani, said: “We should engage in negotiations with the United Nations, not confront them, but the people and government of Afghanistan should not fear the realities and must defend them.”
The United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Richard Bennett as its Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan in April 2022, with the task of documenting human rights violations in the country.