Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has called for meaningful participation of Afghan youth—both girls and boys—in events and discussions shaping the country’s future.
In a post marking International Youth Day, Bennett wrote on X:
“On International Youth Day, let’s recognize that young people of all genders and backgrounds must be meaningfully included in all discussions and actions concerning the future of Afghanistan. Their voices must be heard.”
The UN expert emphasized that for youth to be involved meaningfully, they must have access to their rights, especially the right to equal education.
Nearly four years into Taliban rule, schools for girls remain closed—shuttered since the very first days of the group’s return to power.
Previous UN-led Doha process meetings have drawn criticism for excluding civil society representatives from Afghanistan.
Many Afghanistanis continue to demand robust representation of civil society in international gatherings that will define the country’s trajectory.
