Good evening. I'm John Yang. It was four years ago today that the United States completed its chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan,

bringing an end to America's longest war. In the final days, Afghans desperate to leave rushed to the airport, crowding the tarmac and clinging to taxiing planes. Some died when they fell from aircraft that were taking off.

Then, on August 30th, 2021, a service member stepped onto a military plane,

the last American to leave Afghanistan, two decades after the first troops had arrived.

The military left many behind, Afghans who had worked with Americans

and feared retribution from the Taliban.

Since then, the Taliban has imposed Islamic law

and severely restricted the rights of girls and women.

To date, only Russia has recognized the Taliban

as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

Since 2022, Richard Bennett has been the UN Special Representative the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.

Since 2022, Richard Bennett has been the UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan.

Mr. Bennett, in your most recent report to the UN Human Rights Commission, you focused on the

plight of women and girls in Afghanistan.

Is that where the most dramatic effects are seen of the Taliban takeover?

I believe that is the most dramatic situation.

Women and girls have been pretty much erased from any kind of public life.

It's well known that education is not available after sixth grade,

that is after puberty.

But they're also barred from most types of employment.

They cannot move around cities alone.

They need a male chaperone.

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