UN says Taliban must reverse restrictions on Afghan women

KABUL, May 26 (Reuters): The United Nations rights envoy in Afghanistan said on Thursday the country faces "severe" human rights challenges and called on Taliban authorities to reverse growing restrictions on women and investigate attacks against religious minorities.

Richard Bennett, UN special rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan spoke to reporters at the end of an 11-day visit to the country, his first since his position was created.

"I urge the authorities to acknowledge human rights challenges that they are facing and to close the gap between their words and the deeds," he said.

Bennett expressed concerns over access to education after the Taliban made a U-turn on allowing girls to go to high school in March and this month announced that women must cover their faces, to be enforced by punishing their closest male relatives.