Islamic Emirate blocks UN special envoy from visiting Afghanistan

The Islamic Emirate has barred the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan Richard Bennett from visiting the country claiming he is spreading propaganda against Afghanistan.

According to a statement issued by Zabihullah Mujahid, the IEA’s spokesman, Bennett is considered “untrustworthy” by the Islamic Emirate and will no longer be allowed to visit Afghanistan.

Bennett was appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council in 2022 to monitor Afghanistan’s human rights situation after the Islamic Emirate regained power in August 2021.

Bennett, who has said in the past that the IEA’s treatment of women and girls could amount to a crime against humanity, is based outside Afghanistan but has visited several times to research the situation.

Reuters reported that the foreign ministry’s spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi confirmed the decision and said Bennett “had been unable to acquire a travel visa to Afghanistan”.

“Even after repeatedly requesting Mr. Bennett to adhere to professionalism during work … it was decided that … his reports are based on prejudices and anecdotes detrimental to interests of Afghanistan and the Afghan people,” Balkhi said.