The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to decide Monday on a European Union proposal to launch a comprehensive investigation into human rights abuses in Afghanistan. The proposed U.N. probe aims to gather evidence for potential future prosecutions of violations committed by both the Taliban and foreign forces, marking one of the most far-reaching inquiries under the council’s authority.
If approved, the investigation would stand alongside existing U.N. missions into atrocities in Syria and Myanmar. It could pave the way for war crimes proceedings, breaking a long-standing cycle of impunity. Human Rights Watch researcher Fereshta Abbasi called the move “a significant step” toward accountability, saying it could deter future abuses by Afghan commanders.
The EU’s motion seeks to empower investigators to collect and preserve evidence for criminal cases. While it does not explicitly mention international troops, diplomats describe it as “comprehensive” and without a time limit—allowing scrutiny of all actors involved in Afghanistan’s decades-long conflict. The probe would also coordinate with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has been investigating crimes in Afghanistan but previously scaled back inquiries into U.S. actions after Washington imposed sanctions on ICC officials in 2020.
The United States, which withdrew troops in 2021, has historically resisted external investigations into its military conduct. A U.S. State Department spokesperson reaffirmed that the U.S. “will not tolerate international organizations attempting to exert unlawful jurisdiction over American troops.” President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the council, and diplomats said his administration did not engage in the latest discussions.
The Taliban maintains it respects human rights within the framework of Islamic law, though rights groups cite escalating repression, especially against women and journalists. Some countries involved in past military operations, such as Britain and Australia, have initiated limited internal reviews, but prosecutions have been rare. Meanwhile, China has voiced skepticism about the cost and effectiveness of the EU-led initiative. The outcome of Monday’s vote will determine whether the U.N. formally launches the long-demanded probe.