SOCIETY — March 26, 2026
UN Special Rapporteur Bennett Criticizes Taliban Criminal Code for Institutionalizing Repression
Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, criticized the Taliban’s new criminal code during a virtual meeting with the Network for Research and Support of Women and Children, saying it expands repression against women and vulnerable groups. Network experts warned of serious social and human rights consequences.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh — 2 min read
KABUL (Afghan Verified) - The Network for Research and Support of Women and Children held a virtual meeting on Thursday, 6 Hamal, with Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.
The Network announced that the principles of the criminal code of Taliban courts institutionalize repression and discrimination.
Bennett stated that the Taliban’s new criminal law expands legal frameworks consolidating repression and discrimination, rather than adjusting policies. He added that these laws show the Taliban regime systematically strengthening legal restrictions against women and vulnerable groups.
Experts from the Network emphasized that the continuation of this trend could have serious social and human rights consequences in Afghanistan.
The Network also published a report reacting to the Taliban's legal policies.
Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh →
Reliability assessment
Single source with direct, on-record attribution to named UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, including specific date (6 Hamal) and concrete details of his statements in a virtual meeting; verifiable as 'Bennett said Y'.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Hasht-e Subh: "institutionalizes repression and discrimination" – advocacy phrasing that frames the legal code as inherently oppressive; "systematically strengthen legal restrictions against women" – emotionally loaded implication of targeted, systemic discrimination; "consolidate repression and discrimination" – opinionated language presenting policy expansion as deliberate entrenchment of harm.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
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Hasht-e Subh
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Society — Taliban, Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur, women's rights, criminal code
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