The United Nations has unveiled an independent investigative mechanism aimed at addressing the ongoing human rights situation in Afghanistan. This decision, achieved by consensus during the 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council, underscores a critical effort to gather evidence of severe crimes and rights violations, paving the way for criminal prosecution of international crimes. The resolution, introduced by the European Union and co-sponsored by 50 countries, extends the mandate of the special rapporteur on Afghanistan, Richard Bennet, who heralded this initiative as a vital step towards achieving truth and accountability. Moreover, this mechanism seeks to bolster the efforts of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which recommenced its investigations into Afghanistan two years ago.
Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, head of the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva, highlighted that the resolution responds to the concerns expressed by the high commissioner for human rights about ongoing human rights violations in Afghanistan, notably against women, minorities, human rights defenders, and journalists. This initiative aligns with calls from 107 rights organizations advocating for an international mechanism to uphold accountability in Afghanistan.
The ICC Prosecutor issued arrest warrants in July 2025 against Taliban leaders Haibatullah Akhundzada and Abdul Hakim Haqqani. There are reasonable grounds to believe their involvement in crimes against humanity, specifically persecution on gender grounds. Despite the Taliban’s rejection of the ICC’s jurisdiction, the commitment to pursuing justice remains steadfast. Bennet emphasized that accountability is crucial to a future for Afghanistan rooted in justice and equality, urging continued support for codifying gender apartheid as an international crime.
Parallel to these developments, reports indicate a continued suppression of women’s rights in Afghanistan, compounded by their exclusion from education and employment due to new decrees. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s annual report spotlights the humanitarian crisis affecting women and girls, highlighting their exclusion from public life, thus violating the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which Afghanistan ratified in 2003.
This establishment of an investigative mechanism marks a significant international commitment towards addressing human rights violations in Afghanistan, as detailed in the full report.