UN backs probe into Taliban-era rights abuses in Afghanistan, focusing on women and girls.

The United Nations Human Rights Council has unanimously approved a resolution to establish an independent investigative mechanism to document serious human rights violations in Afghanistan since the Taliban regained power in 2021, with a focus on abuses against women and girls, including restrictions on education, employment, and movement. The probe, backed by the European Union and 14 member states, aims to collect and preserve evidence for potential future prosecutions, including at the International Criminal Court. While China abstained, citing progress in stability and development, the mechanism is seen as a key step toward accountability for decades of impunity. The investigation will cover abuses by the Taliban and other actors, including former Afghan government forces and international troops, though the U.S. has previously opposed scrutiny of its military actions.