A prominent rights group has highlighted a troubling increase in pressure from Pakistani authorities on Afghan refugees, compelling them to return to Afghanistan where they are likely to face persecution from the Taliban. Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stressed the urgency for Pakistani officials to halt such coercive measures, allowing Afghans to seek safety instead of risking a dangerous return home.
The situation is dire, particularly as Pakistan has set a looming March 31 deadline for deporting foreigners living illegally, predominately affecting Afghans. With a significant number of Afghan citizens now arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for forced expulsion, the Afghan Embassy has raised concerns, although Pakistan has countered these claims, asserting their actions are intended to facilitate a safe return for Afghans.
Currently, over 500,000 Afghans, who fled Taliban rule in 2021, live without documentation in Pakistan while waiting for resettlement. Additionally, approximately 1.45 million registered Afghan refugees, many from the Soviet invasion, are also present, and Pakistan has recently promised not to deport them until June. However, since the suspension of U.S. refugee programs, around 20,000 Afghans are left in limbo, pleading for restoration of the programme amid worsening conditions.
Human Rights Watch has noted a disturbing decline in human rights within Afghanistan since the Taliban’s takeover. Women and girls are barred from education, and those returning face immense hardships, including unemployment and inadequate healthcare. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s deadline for deportation adds urgency to an already critical situation, with the rights group reiterating that any forced returns to Afghanistan are unsafe given the escalating crisis.
Moreover, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has announced that all Afghans lacking official documents must vacate Islamabad and Rawalpindi or face deportation, amplifying fears. In 2023 alone, over 800,000 Afghans have returned or been forcibly expelled, with a disproportionate number being vulnerable women and children. Reports of police raids, arbitrary detentions, and demands for bribes by authorities further exacerbate the plight of these refugees, adding to the urgency for international assistance and resettlement.
Pakistan has intensified pressure on Afghan refugees to return home, risking persecution from the Taliban. Rights groups urge Pakistan to cease coercion and allow Afghans to seek safety. A March 31 deportation deadline heightens fear, as many Afghans are currently without documentation. Conditions in Afghanistan remain dire, with issues such as women’s rights violations and unemployment. The international community is urged to expedite resettlement efforts amid this crisis.
The intensifying pressure on Afghan refugees in Pakistan poses significant risks, urging prompt action from both Pakistani authorities and the international community. With deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan and ongoing humanitarian crises, the situation for Afghans remains perilous. The call for immediate measures to ensure safety and uphold human rights resonates strongly as more Afghans are forced back into unsafe circumstances. Addressing the plight of these refugees is now more crucial than ever, highlighting the need for expedited support and resettlement processes.
Original Source: abcnews.go.com
