The United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday approved a landmark resolution establishing an independent mechanism to investigate serious human rights violations in Afghanistan, including those committed under Taliban rule.

The resolution - introduced by the European Union and adopted by consensus - aims to collect and preserve evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity and other grave abuses. It also extends the mandate of the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, whose monitoring work will complement the new body.

According to Human Rights Watch, the mechanism will focus on ongoing Taliban abuses against women and girls, which rights experts say amount to gender persecution. It will document violations, identify those responsible, and prepare case files to support potential prosecutions in national and international courts.

"Countries at the UN Human Rights Council have together sent a strong message of their resolve to ensure that those responsible for serious international crimes in Afghanistan now or in the past will one day face justice," said Fereshta Abbasi, Human Rights Watch`s Afghanistan researcher. "It`s crucial for the new mechanism to get up and running quickly."

The decision follows four years of advocacy by Afghan and international human rights groups. In August, HRD+, a network of Afghan human rights defenders, supported by more than 100 organizations, renewed its call for the creation of the investigative body.

The new mechanism will have a broad mandate similar to UN investigative mechanisms for Syria and Myanmar, examining violations by the Taliban, former government officials, warlords, international forces, and non-state armed groups.

It is expected to scrutinize Taliban leaders, governors, and provincial officials accused of torture, arbitrary detention, and the systemic denial of women`s rights, including access to education, work, and freedom of movement.

The European Union described the adoption as a "significant step" toward accountability. "By adopting the resolution by consensus, UN Human Rights Council member states have sent a powerful message against double standards for justice," Abbasi said.

The resolution also directs the UN secretary-general to expedite the creation of the mechanism and ensure it begins work despite the UN`s financial constraints.

It calls for close cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban officials on charges of crimes against humanity for gender persecution.

"UN Human Rights Council members have sent a clear message to victims, their families, and all those bravely fighting for justice in Afghanistan that their voices have been heard," Abbasi said. "The UN must ensure this mechanism becomes operational as soon as possible."