Amnesty International has urged for the ‘immediate cancellation’ of a proposal to deport Afghan migrants from Pakistan, asserting that it contravenes international human rights laws, TOLOnews reported. According to a statement by a representative of the organization focusing on refugees and migrants, the plan to expel Afghan refugees violates international human rights laws, international refugee laws, and all international conventions.
“The Pakistan authorities’ callous disregard for the persecution, serious human rights violations and humanitarian catastrophe that await Afghan refugees if deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is heart-breaking. Instead of heeding repeated global calls to halt deportations, the newly elected Pakistani government has disappointingly now extended the deportation drive to Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders as well,” said James Jennion, according to TOLOnews.
On the other hand, the consulate of the Islamic Emirate in Pakistan has declared the release and repatriation of over fifty Afghan migrants.
The Taliban’s acting consul in Karachi, Pakistan, Sayed Abdul Jabbar Takhari, stated: “We currently have about fifty detainees in the prisons of Sindh state.” There are continuous efforts to secure their freedom and expedite their return to their homeland.”
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Afghan migrants residing in Pakistan are anxious about their uncertain future as the country prepares for a second wave of expulsions. They are protesting against the detention and mistreatment of Afghan migrants by Pakistani police.
an Afghan migrant in Pakistan, said: “This is an injustice to us. Whatever agency does this, whether the Pakistani government or the Afghan government, it’s an injustice. Our request from everyone is to show mercy on us, we want to return to our homeland at the right time,” according to media sources.
Meanwhile, Shinwari, another Afghan migrant in Pakistan, said, “This is bad news for Afghan migrants because our businesses are here, and we cannot wrap everything up in a short time.”
The first phase of expelling undocumented Afghan migrants from Pakistan began in November 2023. The second phase, known as the ‘repatriation plan,’ is scheduled to commence on April 10, as reported by TOLOnews. Both human rights organizations and Afghanistan criticized the action, while the government defended its decision, asserting that it wasn’t targeting any particular ethnic group.
The United Nations had previously urged Pakistan to halt the deportation exercise. Human rights activists and journalists have alleged that mistreatment is being used as a tactic to coerce Afghans into leaving the country. Since the Taliban’s resurgence in August 2021, thousands of Afghans have fled to neighboring countries, fearing persecution and death threats. Many entered host countries illegally and now face issues such as forced deportation and imprisonment.
