Richard Bennett, UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, is set to present his report on the right to health of women and girls in Afghanistan at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Thursday, 26 February.
The council is also expected to review the broader human rights situation in the country.
In a post on X, Bennett said he would deliver an oral update on recent human rights developments. He recently visited Pakistan and, speaking at a conference in Lahore, warned that the deportation of Afghan migrants could expose them to serious human rights risks.
The 61st session of the Human Rights Council is being held in Geneva from Monday, 23 February, to Tuesday, 1 April. The agenda includes panel discussions on global human rights issues, women’s rights, the rights of persons with disabilities and children’s rights.
Afghanistan is among the key items on the agenda. The council is expected to receive an oral update from the UN secretary-general on progress towards establishing an independent investigative mechanism into alleged human rights violations in Afghanistan.
A resolution to create such a mechanism was adopted by the Human Rights Council in October.
Member states will also consider a one-year extension of Bennett’s mandate as special rapporteur on Afghanistan.
In addition, a report by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation in Afghanistan is due to be presented during the session.
