Pakistan forces Afghan refugees towards dangerous return to Taliban rule
- Pakistan has set a March 31 deadline for deporting illegal foreigners, primarily targeting Afghan refugees.
- Human Rights Watch and Afghanistan's foreign minister have called for protections and a dignified return process for refugees.
- The situation for Afghan refugees remains dire, necessitating urgent international assistance to ensure their safety.
In recent weeks, Pakistan has put increased pressure on Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan, where they face significant risks under Taliban rule. The deadline set by Pakistani authorities for the deportation of illegal foreigners, predominantly Afghans, is March 31, a date that looms near as over 500,000 Afghans live without documentation. Those Afghans include not only recent arrivals escaping the Taliban's resurgence in 2021 but also longstanding refugees who fled during the Soviet occupation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has publicly called for a cessation of these deportations, stressing that Afghanistan remains unsafe, particularly for women and girls who are subject to human rights abuses.Afghanistan's foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, responded by advocating for the gradual repatriation of refugees, emphasizing the need for their return to be handled with dignity and respect. He called on the international community to assist in managing the return process and to ensure the safety and rights of refugees. In his statements, Muttaqi expressed hope for positive treatment of returning refugees and that issues between the two countries could be resolved through dialogue. The United Nations and rights groups like HRW continue to express concerns regarding the humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan, predicting further deterioration unless protective measures are enforced for vulnerable populations. The Pakistani government's announcement of a repatriation drive has intensified fears among refugees, many of whom are women and children who escaped harsh conditions. Eyewitnesses report irregular activities by Pakistani police who have reportedly harassed refugees, demanding bribes for their continued stay. This situation illustrates the stark challenges facing Afghan refugees, caught between the pressure to return home and the dire conditions awaiting them in Afghanistan. As the deadline nears and conditions worsen, the sense of urgency grows for resettlement solutions and international support to protect Afghan refugees and ensure their safe return.