UN Rights Expert Warns Taliban’s Religious Schools Could Entrench Extremist Ideology

UN Rights Expert Warns Taliban’s Religious Schools Could Entrench Extremist Ideology
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UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has warned that the Taliban’s growing network of religious schools risks entrenching a dangerous extremist ideology among Afghan men and boys. Speaking at a side event during the UN General Assembly, Bennett stressed that the group’s policies use religion as a tool to justify repressive laws while lacking genuine understanding of Islam.

His remarks followed a report by the organization Fragere, which conducted interviews with 700 people across 14 Afghan provinces, including 600 women. The study found that extremism has increased since the Taliban’s return to power, alongside growing restrictions on women and girls. Bennett noted that they remain deprived of basic rights such as education, employment, healthcare, mobility, public participation, and access to justice.

He highlighted the use of laws on “promotion of virtue” and “prevention of vice” as instruments to enforce harsh social control and instill fear.
Bennett warned that prioritizing religious schooling while limiting opportunities, education, and livelihoods could fuel radicalization and destabilize regional and global security.

He urged a comprehensive response, including international support, accountability measures, recognition of gender persecution as a crime against humanity, and stronger roles for civil society, particularly women’s organizations.