Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has stated that his office has documented and verified numerous cases of sexual violence and abuse occurring within detention facilities across Afghanistan.
According to Bennett, interviews conducted by his office reveal that the victims of these abuses are not limited to women and girls; men and underage boys have also been among those affected.
According to a recent report by the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented 21 incidents of sexual violence against women and girls in 2025, including cases of gang rape.
Bennett emphasized that these figures represent only a fraction of the actual scale of the problem. He noted that due to prevailing social and cultural constraints in Afghanistan, many victims refrain from reporting their experiences out of fear of stigma, retaliation, or other adverse consequences. He further stated that, according to certain reports, some victims have been prevented by the Taliban from communicating with human rights investigators.
He added that extreme caution is exercised in the collection of information to ensure the safety of victims and that comprehensive data can only be obtained when those affected are fully protected from potential risks.
Bennett also pointed out that the limited financial and human resources available to his office have hindered the ability to conduct broader and more comprehensive investigations into these allegations.
He stressed that, moving forward, incidents of sexual violence against individuals of all genders must be addressed with equal seriousness and attention.
Meanwhile, a report by the United Nations Security Council alleges that the Taliban have arbitrarily detained women protesters, subjected them to torture, and that incidents of sexual violence have also been documented.
However, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has rejected these allegations, asserting that the torture of detainees is prohibited under Taliban regulations and policies.
In addition, at least four sources have reported that detainees held in Taliban prisons have been subjected to mistreatment, torture, and coerced confessions.
Responding to these reports, women’s rights activist and former detainee Zarifa Yaqoubi stated that she and other prisoners experienced torture and forced confessions while in detention, adding that the psychological consequences of those experiences continue to affect their mental well-being to this day.
Writer:Saeed Sameer
