International: Afghan migrants are urgently appealing for international intervention, citing increasing reports of arrests and mistreatment in Pakistan as they face impending deportations, according to Tolo News. The situation has prompted the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to launch an emergency appeal aimed at providing support to those returning to Afghanistan.
Numerous Afghan migrants residing in both Iran and Pakistan have voiced significant grievances regarding their treatment in these host nations. Their primary concern revolves around the persistent arrests and forced repatriation carried out by law enforcement in both countries. These individuals are imploring organizations dedicated to refugee support to step in and address the mounting challenges they face.
Tolo News further detailed accounts from Afghan migrants within Pakistan who report ongoing arrests and mistreatment by the authorities there. These individuals are specifically calling on refugee support agencies to take their concerns with the utmost seriousness and to actively seek solutions.
One Afghan migrant in Pakistan, speaking with Tolo News, highlighted the precarious position of many, stating, “There are 1.4 million holders of PoR cards and 800,000 holders of ACC cards living here who have businesses and cannot wrap up and relocate their work in just one or two months. They are heavily involved in commercial activities in Pakistan.”
Another Afghan migrant in Pakistan emphasized the need for diplomatic engagement, asserting, “Authorities in Afghanistan are obliged to engage, through mediation by international organizations including UNHCR and IOM and under international documents such as the Geneva Convention, in negotiations with officials in Islamabad and Tehran to resolve the issues of Afghan migrants in both countries.”
Tolo News also reported that some migrants indicated that the invalidation of census documents in Iran had led to Afghan migrants being issued exit permits upon visiting the Kafalat office.
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has officially acknowledged the escalating crisis, stating that the intensification of returns has necessitated their emergency appeal to provide crucial assistance to Afghan migrants making their way back to their homeland.
Prior to this, Amnesty International had issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan’s actions, urging an immediate halt to the detentions and deportations. The human rights organization underscored that such actions constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits the return of individuals to places where they face the risk of persecution. Amnesty International further warned that the deportation of Afghan refugees, particularly women and girls, could strip them of vital safety, educational opportunities, and means of sustenance.
In light of these unfolding events, international bodies and advocacy groups are increasingly pressing Pakistan to reconsider its deportation policies and to uphold its international obligations concerning the protection of refugees. They are emphasizing the critical need to safeguard the rights and well-being of Afghan refugees to prevent a further deepening of the existing humanitarian crisis.
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