Human Rights Watch reports that Pakistan is intensifying pressure on Afghan refugees to return home, where they risk persecution by the Taliban. The organization urges Pakistani officials to halt forced deportations and allow Afghans to seek protection. Amidst deteriorating human rights conditions in Afghanistan, HRW emphasizes the urgent need for countries to expedite resettlement processes for displaced Afghans.

A prominent rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW), has indicated that the Pakistani government is increasingly pressuring Afghan refugees to return to Afghanistan, where they face severe persecution and dire economic circumstances. Elaine Pearson, HRW’s Asia director, urged Pakistani authorities to cease coercive measures and allow Afghans to seek protection before being expelled.

Pakistan has established a March 31 deadline for deporting all foreigners illegally residing in the country, predominantly affecting Afghan nationals. Following recent reports from the Afghan Embassy in Islamabad, HRW expressed concerns regarding an uptick in the arrest of Afghan citizens, which Pakistan has refuted, claiming to simply facilitate their return to Afghanistan.

Approximately 500,000 Afghans fleeing the Taliban’s resurgence in 2021 live in Pakistan without legal documentation. Additionally, about 1.45 million Afghan refugees are registered with the United Nations. Despite a temporary extension granted last July to prevent their arrest or deportation, the uncertainty surrounding their future remains troubling, exacerbated by U.S. refugee program delays.

HRW condemned the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan, particularly affecting women and girls who face significant restrictions, along with threats to journalists and former government officials. The organization highlighted that many returning Afghans cope with high unemployment and a crumbling health care system.

With the impending March 31 deadline for Afghan deportations approved by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, HRW emphasized the hazardous conditions for any forced repatriation. They called on countries committed to providing asylum to expedite processing of relocation cases for at-risk Afghans.

The Interior Ministry of Pakistan has mandated that Afghans without official residence documents must vacate Islamabad and Rawalpindi to avoid deportation. Statistics reveal that since 2023, over 800,000 Afghans have returned or been forcibly expelled, disproportionately affecting women and children, particularly those of secondary school age. HRW has documented cases of police brutality, arbitrary detention, and extortion targeting Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

The increasing pressure on Afghan refugees in Pakistan poses serious risks to their safety and well-being, as they may encounter persecution upon returning to Afghanistan. Human Rights Watch’s appeal emphasizes the urgent need for protection measures and the expediting of resettlement processes by foreign nations. Given the precarious humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, immediate international attention and action are imperative to safeguard vulnerable populations who may otherwise face devastating consequences upon repatriation.

Original Source: apnews.com

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