INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, said on Tuesday that Afghanistan is facing a
convergence of challenges, including a deteriorating human rights situation.He said in a report to the UN General Assembly this was due to
the Islamic Emirates repressive policies and practices, a culture of impunity, an ongoing humanitarian and economic crisis, recent deadly
earthquakes, and the possibility of massive involuntary returns [from Pakistan], all of which require urgent action to avoid further
suffering and potential instability in the country and the region.He said: &A grave picture has emerged, providing a glimpse of what may lie
ahead for the human rights of many Afghans, particularly women and girls, and also for other groups including human rights defenders,
journalists, ethnic and linguistic minorities, LGBTI persons, persons with disabilities, former government officials and military and
security personnel.&He also said the recent earthquakes had severely affected already vulnerable communities in Herat, and urged the
international community to provide needed assistance.The expert stressed the need to resume the education of girls beyond the sixth grade
and women&s tertiary education, noting that the IEA had repeatedly stated that the suspension was temporary.&The Taliban&s (IEA) actions may
amount to gender persecution,& Bennett said
&Systematic discrimination, oppression and segregation of women and girls require further examination of the evolving phenomenon of
‘gender apartheid&.&However, the Islamic Emirate has repeatedly said that international institutions do not reflect the true image of
Afghanistan, especially when it comes to human rights, they rely more on propaganda.&We are a war-torn country, there were no economic
resources, and we are trying to revive the economic resources so that they can be created in order to eliminate the poverty and hardship of
the people.& In this regard, we don&t sit quietly and work day and night, but unfortunately, these organizations always focus on the
negative points instead of the positive points in publishing their reports, and which is devoid of truth,& said Zabihullah Mujahid, the
spokesman of the Islamic Emirate.The post Richard Bennett reports to UNGA, says Afghanistan is facing many challenges first appeared on
