The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, at the UNGA78 session, criticized what he considers to be the deterioration of the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

Speaking at the session, Bennett said that in addition to the demands of the world to reopen schools and universities, female students are still deprived of education in Afghanistan.

According to the report, “Afghanistan is facing a convergence of challenges, including a deteriorating human rights situation due to the Taliban’s repressive policies and practices, a culture of impunity, an ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis, recent deadly earthquakes, and the possibility of massive involuntary returns, all of which require urgent action to avoid further suffering and potential instability in the country and the region.”

“I have reported repeatedly, as have others, that the situation for women and girls has worsened drastically over the past two years, in a step-by-step manner. For example, we are witnessing a continued narrowing of the permitted economic activity of women outside the home. As time goes by, more girls and women are missing out on education above sixth grade at school, and university.  The de facto authorities continue to claim that the suspension is temporary, however, it has already been in place for more than two years. They should meet their obligations under international law and reopen schools and universities for girls and women forthwith – with curricula in line with international standards,” the report reads.

In a part of his report, Richard Bennett also called for the canceling of restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Afghanistan Permanent Mission to the UN, Naseer Ahmad Faiq, at the Third Committee, 78th UNGA session, expressed his concerns regarding the violation of human rights in Afghanistan.

“The deliberate suppression and systematic discrimination against the fundamental human rights and freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan, including the right to education and the right to employment by the Taliban, represent a grave violation of human rights, amounting to gender persecution and gender apartheid,” Faiq said.

In the meantime, the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security in a report ranked and scored 177 countries on women’s status and ranked Afghanistan the last country on the list and Denmark at the top.

According to the report, “Of all country groups and regions, the Fragile States group performs worst. On average in these countries, 1 woman in 5 has experienced recent intimate partner violence, 6 women in 10 live in proximity to conflict, and maternal deaths stand at approximately 540 per 100,000 live births, more than double the global average of 212.”

“World’s concerns that there are violations of human rights in Afghanistan, this is a true, yes, the Islamic government has violated human rights in Afghanistan,” said Fazela Surosh, a women’s rights activist.

“They should create a standard government that has a constitution and acts according to the charter, the rules and the laws of the UN, so that a humanitarian crisis in our country can be prevented,” said Ahmad Khan Andar, international relations expert.

The Islamic Emirate considers the extension of the mission of the UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan Richard Bennett to be antagonistic.

According to the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, Richard Bennett’s reports do not reflect the realities of Afghanistan.