Human Rights | Afghanistan's UN envoy Naseer Ahmad Faiq told the Third Committee that land seizures and forced displacement of Hazaras are alarming and urged an inclusive process

ACW | October 29, 2026 — Naseer Ahmad Faiq, acting head of Afghanistan's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, told the General Assembly's Third Committee on Wednesday, October 28, that land seizures and the forced displacement of Hazaras were deeply alarming.

The session was attended by Faiq and Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Etilaatroz reported. Faiq said the situation of ethnic and religious minorities under the Taliban "requires urgent attention."

He cited the reported killing of 13 Shia Muslims near a shrine in Herat and Taliban restrictions on Shia religious and family practices. Engaging with the Taliban without regard to how they treat the people amounts to "normalizing oppression," he said.

According to Etilaatroz, Faiq said 3.8 million girls are denied education, 9 million children face severe hunger and about 5 million migrants have been returned from neighbouring countries in under three years. He called for an Afghan-led political process facilitated by the UN.

Afghanistan International reported that Bennett told the session the Taliban had shown no willingness to reform their repressive and discriminatory policies. The outlet also reported that Spain's representative, speaking for 55 UN member and observer states, called the discrimination against Afghan women and girls "gender apartheid"; that part has not yet been confirmed by other sources.

The published reports carry no response from the Taliban authorities. The UN has not yet released an official record of the meeting.

Background: Earlier, Hazara parties and groups condemned forced displacement and land seizures.

Why it matters: At a formal General Assembly meeting, Faiq raised the killing of 13 Shia Muslims in Herat and restrictions on Shia religious rites, issues that go to the heart of freedom of religion or belief in Afghanistan.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Sources: Etilaatroz — Faiq alarmed by Hazara land grabs and forced displacement; Afghanistan International — Faiq at the Third Committee; Afghanistan International — Bennett; Afghanistan International — Spain's representative

Photo: UN (archive)