By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters) – The ousted Afghan government and activist groups called on the main U.N. human rights body on Monday to investigate reports of targeted killings and restrictions on women and free speech by the ruling Taliban.

As the European Union (EU), prepares to present a draft resolution regarding Afghanistan, the head of Afghanistan’s independent human rights commission said that it has been forced to suspend many of its activities.

After the Taliban overthrow, the U.N. Human Rights Council convened an emergency meeting last month. However, activists claimed that the Pakistan-led resolution was not strong enough. The text required Michelle Bachelet, U.N. rights chief, to give her report. She was given very limited resources and power.

Bachelet said that Taliban broke their promises and ordered women to stay home. She also conducted house-to–house searches for foes.

Reuters saw a draft EU resolution that was circulated during this session. It condemned executions, violence against protesters, and the use of force against media. It would, if adopted, appoint an independent special rapporteur but not a full investigation.

We urge Council members to, in accordance with the Council’s mandate, adopt a resolution at this session to establish a dedicated, effective mechanism for monitoring the human rights situation and preventive action in Afghanistan,” Nasir Ahmed Andisha, Afghanistan’s Ambassador, said to the Geneva forum.

According to activists, a special reporteur is an independent specialist who works full time.

Ken Roth, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch stated that “a mere special reporter with some assistance (from the UN rights office), is not sufficient.” A full investigative team is required, along with resources, to deal with the country’s complexity.

Agnes Callamard is secretary-general at Amnesty International and a former U.N. inspector on unlawful killings. She said human rights monitoring was now “extraordinarily crucial”.

Her statement stated, “The preservation and prosecution of evidence is essential to convey to the Taliban that their international crimes are not ignored or neglected.”

Shaharzad Akbar is the chairperson of the Afghanistan independent rights commission, who has fled Afghanistan. She said that Taliban have carried out targeted killings primarily against former members of national security forces, as well some citizens.

The panel was told by Shaharzad Akbar that they are creating fear among all people, even human rights defenders and women’s rights activists, as well as journalists who are currently in the country. Most of them are hiding.

According to her, there are reports that detainees have been extrajudicially killed.

A local official stated that Taliban officials in Herat, western Afghanistan, killed four kidnappers. They then hanged their bodies in public in order to discourage others.

(Additional reporting by Emma Farge. Editing by Angus MacSwan.