Afghanistan
On October 6, 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva approved the establishment of an ongoing and independent investigative mechanism to monitor human rights violations in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained control over four years ago. Pushed by the European Union and adopted with no opposition aside from China's abstention, the resolution focuses particularly on violations against women and girls. This mechanism aims to compile case files for potential use in international justice proceedings, such as at the International Criminal Court.
Special rapporteur Richard Bennett previously reported that the Taliban are using the legal system as a tool of oppression, committing acts that could constitute crimes against humanity. Since taking power, the Taliban have repealed laws protecting women, such as those criminalizing rape and forced marriage, and replaced all former judges—including 270 women—with male appointees lacking legal experience, who follow Taliban edicts. China criticized the resolution as unbalanced and argued that recent stability and positive developments in Afghanistan warrant recognition.
