Geneva, May 1 (IANS) Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, called on the Taliban authorities to “immediately and unconditionally” release all detained journalists while ensuring that media workers in the country can carry out their duties without fear of reprisal, harassment, or arrest.The appeal from the UN expert came ahead of World Press Freedom Day to be observed on May 3.Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Bennett warned that th…
Latest Richard Bennett News & Updates
Kabul, April 28 (IANS) Richard Bennett, the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, on Tuesday called for “prompt, independent and thorough investigations” as fresh reports cited that at least seven people have been killed and 75 injured in Pakistani strikes targetting Afghanistan’s Kunar province. “I echo UNAMA’s concern and condolences. Civilians must always be protected and perpetrators held accountable. Therefore, there is a need for prompt, indepe…
London, April 25 (IANS) The United Kingdom has signalled a possible review of Afghan asylum returns as humanitarian crisis and refugee concerns intensify, Afghan media reported on Saturday. The possibility of returning rejected Afghan asylum seekers to Afghanistan is not ruled out, Khaama Press reported citing that London is closely monitoring discussions between Taliban authorities and the European Union on potential return arrangements, while internal government talks are ongoing.Any such move…
Kabul, April 12 (IANS) Condemnations poured in after a gun attack occurred at a shrine in Afghanistan’s Injil district, where gunmen opened fire on civilians, killing and injuring several people. The European Union has condemned attack on civilians in Afghanistan’s Herat and expressed solidarity with those affected.”The EU condemns all acts of terror against civilians, in any form and by any actor. Such violence is never justified. Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the he…
Kabul, April 1 (IANS) UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has criticised the continued ban preventing Afghan women from accessing United Nations offices, terming the policy discriminatory and unjustifiable, local media reported on Wednesday. Bennett on Tuesday called for lifting restriction on Afghan women’s access to UN premises, warning that it showcases a serious attack on women’s rights and ability to work. Bennett joined 27 other UN expert…
Kabul, March 27 (IANS) The new academic year in Afghanistan schools began on Thursday without girls returning to classrooms above sixth class for the fifth consecutive year. The classes started amid calls for reopening schools for girls above sixth class, local media reported. The Taliban’s Education Ministry said that the new academic year started with senior officials attending a formal ceremony while classes also resumed in colder provinces, Afghanistan’s leading news agency Khaama Press repo…
Kabul, March 25 (IANS) Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, on Wednesday stated that UN experts have called for prompt, independent and transparent investigations into the Pakistani airstrikes on the Kabul rehabilitation centre.On March 16, Pakistan launched airstrikes on Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul that killed hundreds of civilians and injured several others. Bennett added that the call also seeks a permanent ceasefire betwee…
Kabul, March 18 (IANS) The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, on Wednesday, called for an immediate, independent and transparent probe into Pakistan’s airstrike on drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul. He demanded that compensation should be paid to victims and their families. His statement comes after a Pakistani strike on Monday night targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul’s Pul-e-Charkhi area, killing hundreds an…
Kabul, March 4 (IANS) Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, on Wednesday echoed concerns raised by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) over the intensifying clashes along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border that have resulted in heavy civilian casualties and displacement. He called on both parties to exercise maximum restraint and adhere to International Human Rights Law (IHRL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL), …
Kabul, Feb 27 (IANS) Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, on Friday called for calm and respect for human rights and humanitarian law, especially the protection of people, amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan which has claimed several lives, including of Afghan civilians. Bennett stressed immediate de-escalation as Pakistan launched Operation ‘Ghazab lil-Haq’ against Afghanistan, targetting several military installations…