In a grave situation, over 50 prominent Afghan women’s rights activists find themselves at risk of deportation from Pakistan, where the looming spectre of Taliban rule threatens their safety. Amidst a deteriorating relationship between the two nations and escalating militant violence, the Pakistani government has committed to deport millions of Afghan nationals, labelling them as ‘terrorists’ and ‘traitors’. Since September 2023, approximately 844,499 Afghans have already been forcibly returned, facing imminent dangers of Taliban persecution.
Among those facing the harsh return are 60 female activists who have valiantly fought for women’s rights, education, and human rights. Many are in hiding as law enforcement conducts door-to-door searches, arresting Afghans and demanding bribes for their release. Humaira Alim, a notable activist driven from her homeland due to threats and persecution, recounts her harrowing experience—fleeing to Pakistan in December 2022 with her young children, only to find herself living a life of constant fear.
Alim reflects, “If they send me back to Afghanistan, it only means death.” She shares how the Taliban holds records of her activism and asserts that there is no safe place for women like her. As her family hides from police seeking them out, she knows many other women in similar predicaments, all fearing the horrors that await them under Taliban rule.
Liliana Harrington from Avaaz underscores the dire ramifications of these deportations, calling it a “death sentence”. Advocating for safe havens for these activists, Alim and her fellow women seek merely a little more time to secure refuge in a third country, with Brazil as a hopeful destination. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the Pakistani government’s actions, highlighting the opaque and unjust processes refugees face, lacking in transparency and accountability.
Over 50 Afghan women’s rights activists in Pakistan face deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, where they fear imprisonment or death. Since September 2023, the Pakistani government has deported thousands of Afghans due to deteriorating relations and increasing violence. Activist Humaira Alim describes her dire situation of living in hiding, fearing arrest, while seeking refuge in a third country. The actions of Pakistan have drawn condemnation from human rights organisations.
The plight of Afghan women’s rights activists in Pakistan reflects a grim reality of persecution and impending deportation back to Taliban rule. As they navigate a treacherous landscape fraught with danger, the humanitarian call for safe asylum becomes ever more urgent. The global community must respond to this crisis, providing refuge to these brave individuals who have risked their lives for fundamental human rights.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
