As the sun rises over Karachi on October 31, 2023, a bus fills with Afghan refugees, setting off for a grim uncertain future in Afghanistan. Despite the dire human rights crisis unfolding within its borders, Pakistan has taken drastic measures by expelling Afghan refugees, drastically worsening their plight. In January, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry decreed the expulsion of Afghans lacking official residency documents from urban centres like Islamabad and Rawalpindi, setting a deadline for even those possessing registration cards to leave by June 30.
This latest push to deport Afghans follows a previous wave that resulted in over 800,000 forced repatriations between September 2023 and January 2024. Many deportees had spent their entire lives in Pakistan, making these forced returns even more devastating. Pakistani police have engaged in disturbing tactics, from house raids to arbitrary arrests, even confiscating vital documentation and demanding bribes from desperate refugees determined to stay.
The harsh conditions for returning to Afghanistan are well documented; upon arrival, refugees endure life under the Taliban, where the already desperate humanitarian situation is compounded by horrific restrictions placed on women and girls. Education for girls beyond primary school is forbidden, women are banned from many jobs, and the movement of women in public is severely restricted. Yet, these are not the only issues; Afghanistan’s economic landscape is bleak, with millions facing acute malnutrition, and nearly half the population—over 22 million—requiring emergency food aid.
Despite the urgency of this humanitarian crisis, foreign aid continues to dwindle. Those Afghans who had previously worked in government roles face unique dangers including persecution, torture, or even death if they are returned. Such actions are likely violations of Pakistan’s obligations under international law. This severe situation is recognised globally, yet Pakistan maintains its pressure on Afghan refugees, showing no signs of reconsidering its stance.
It is not just Pakistan; several countries, including Germany, have also faced criticism for their deportation practices, putting Afghans at risk of returning to a volatile environment. The sheer scale of potential deportations presents a growing humanitarian disaster, with the fate of countless individuals hanging in the balance. There is an urgent need for action; otherwise, the current wave of forced returns could swell to even more alarming numbers, deepening the crisis in Afghanistan.
The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan worsens as Pakistan forces Afghan refugees to return, despite the dire conditions under the Taliban. Recent policies have led to mass deportations, with serious human rights violations reported against returnees. Women face strict restrictions, and the majority of the population requires emergency aid. The situation calls for urgent action as more deportations loom.
The situation for Afghan refugees is increasingly perilous as Pakistan forces them back into a country ravaged by turmoil and conflict. Despite knowing the catastrophic circumstances awaiting them, authorities continue their push for deportation, leading to fears of persecution, especially for those who previously held government positions. The plight of women and children is particularly dire, and with foreign aid decreasing, the prospects for the entire Afghan population remain grim. Urgent intervention is necessary to prevent further escalation of this humanitarian crisis.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
