Mon Oct 06 11:54:30 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The UN Human Rights Council has launched an investigation into alleged human rights abuses in Afghanistan, potentially encompassing violations committed by the Taliban and foreign troops, including those from the United States. The move follows increasing concerns over restrictions on women and freedom of expression under Taliban rule. While the U.S. previously opposed scrutiny of its actions in Afghanistan, the EU-backed proposal aims to gather evidence for future court proceedings. The investigation faces criticism from China due to its cost amid a UN funding crisis.

**News Article:**

**UN Launches Investigation into Afghanistan Abuses; Could Include US Troops**

**GENEVA – October 6, 2025** – The United Nations Human Rights Council has approved an investigation into alleged human rights violations in Afghanistan, raising the possibility of future war crimes prosecutions against both the Taliban and foreign forces, including those from the United States.

The EU-backed motion, adopted without a vote on Monday, comes amid mounting concerns over restrictions on women and freedom of expression under Taliban rule. The investigation aims to gather evidence for potential court proceedings, mirroring similar probes in Syria and Myanmar.

While the proposal did not explicitly target abuses by international forces, diplomats confirmed that its “comprehensive” nature and lack of time limit would allow for such investigations.

The United States, which had troops stationed in Afghanistan until 2021, has historically opposed scrutiny of its actions. However, the Trump administration, while not explicitly taking a stance, has maintained that it would not tolerate international organizations exerting unlawful jurisdiction over American troops.

“This is a significant step that could break a decades-long cycle of impunity,” said Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher at Human Rights Watch.

The investigation will cooperate with an existing International Criminal Court (ICC) probe, though the ICC previously indicated it would deprioritize alleged crimes by U.S. forces after sanctions were imposed in 2020.

China’s delegate Wang Nian criticized the $9.2 million cost of the three-year investigation, citing a UN funding crisis and calling the proposal unbalanced.

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