Amnesty International Calls on Pakistan to Halt Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees
Amnesty International Calls on Pakistan to Halt Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees
Amnesty International, in a statement issued on the occasion of World Refugee Day, called on the Pakistani government to immediately halt the forced deportations targeting Afghan refugees. It warned that such actions violate international law and put the lives of hundreds of thousands at risk.
The organization noted that since October 2023, Pakistani authorities have repatriated more than 1.8 million Afghan refugees, flagrantly violating the principle of “non-refoulement,” which is a cornerstone of refugee protection under international law.
Amnesty International expressed deep concern for the fate of approximately 1.4 million Afghan refugees who remain in Pakistan. These individuals hold permanent residence cards that are set to expire in the next ten days, living in precarious conditions and facing the threat of deportation at any moment.
The organization reminded that forced return to Afghanistan could expose refugees to serious violations, including extrajudicial executions, torture, and gender-based violence, given the deteriorating security and human rights situation in the country.
Amnesty International urged Pakistani authorities to take urgent steps to extend the validity of residence cards and provide legal protection to refugees, rather than sending them back to an unsafe environment. It also called on the international community to exert real pressure to ensure that refugee rights are respected in accordance with international commitments.
