UN Rights Council Extends Richard Bennett’s Afghanistan Mandate for One Year

DID Press: UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution on the human rights situation in Afghanistan without a vote, extending the mandate of Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, for another year.

Bennett welcomed the adoption of resolution A/HRC/63/L.8, saying the decision extends his mandate for another year. The resolution was adopted by consensus, without a recorded vote, during the council’s 63rd session in Geneva.

Bennett said the resolution provides for an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue (EID) on Afghanistan in June 2027, with a focus on gender-related concerns.

He also said the resolution requests him to prepare a study on the situation of “minorities” in Afghanistan, which he is expected to present to the Human Rights Council in September 2027.

Bennett has served as the UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan since 2022, with his mandate previously renewed through successive Human Rights Council resolutions.