Interim Afghan administration bars UN special rapporteur: Report

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Afghanistan's Taliban-led interim administration has banned Richard Bennett, the UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur for Afghanistan, from entering the country.

Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Bennett of spreading propaganda against the country, local broadcaster Tolo News reported.

"Mr. Bennett's travel to Afghanistan has been prohibited because he was assigned to spread propaganda in Afghanistan. He is not someone we trust. He is not in Afghanistan, and he is no longer permitted to come here," Mujahid said.

He accused that the UN official of blowing minor issues out of proportion and spreading propaganda against Kabul.

So far no reaction came from Bennett, who has criticized the human rights situation in Afghanistan.

The UN appointed Bennett its special rapporteur for Afghanistan in April 2022 after the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021.