Pakistan: Reconsider Deportation Plans for Afghans

Pakistan‘s Threat to Deport Afghans Puts Lives at Risk

The recent announcement by Pakistani authorities to deport over one million Afghans poses serious risks of persecution and abuse, according to Human Rights Watch. The Interior Ministry of Pakistan gave all migrants living without legal status 28 days to leave voluntarily or face deportation. This threat of mass deportation has led to an increase in police abuse against Afghans, including harassment, assault, and arbitrary detention.

The situation is deeply concerning, as Afghans in Pakistan already face significant challenges to their rights. Many Afghans have been caught in a political crossfire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with little regard for their well-being and rights. The Pakistani announcement has caught the United Nations off guard, leaving Afghans facing the threat of being returned to a country under Taliban rule, where they may face persecution and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Failed Promises of Resettlement by Other Countries

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that there are currently 3.7 million Afghans in Pakistan. Among them are approximately 700,000 who fled to Pakistan after the Taliban takeover in 2021. Many of these individuals were encouraged to apply from Pakistan for resettlement programs in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Germany. However, while some have been resettled, many others have been left in limbo.

Gender disparities have also played a role in determining who receives asylum, with destination countries often prioritizing assistance to Afghan men who contributed to military efforts. This has hindered the ability of Afghan women and girls to obtain asylum in other countries.

The Blame Game: Afghans as Scapegoats

Pakistani officials have blamed Afghans for a recent uptick in attacks by militant groups, labeling them as “illegal migrants.” This rhetoric has fueled further discrimination and abuse against Afghans living in Pakistan. It is important to note that Afghans who were counted in Pakistan‘s only census of Afghans in 2005 were given proof-of-registration cards. However, since 2007, there has been no subsequent registration mechanism, making it difficult for many Afghans to obtain protection.

The Need for Urgent Action

The UNHCR has issued non-return advisories, calling for a bar on the forced return of Afghan nationals, and has urged Pakistan not to forcibly deport Afghans. The UN and international donors should exert pressure on Pakistan to end abuses against Afghans and protect Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities and the UNHCR should work together to establish an expedited process for registering refugees in a manner consistent with international law.

Mass deportations, whether coerced or not, may breach Pakistan‘s obligations under the UN Convention Against Torture and violate the principle of “refoulement” – the forced return of anyone to a place where they would face persecution or other ill-treatment. It is crucial for Pakistan to avoid recreating the conditions that pressured Afghan refugees to leave in 2016, and instead focus on ending police abuses and deportation threats.

Resettlement Countries Must Fulfill Their Promises

Countries that pledged to provide resettlement options for at-risk Afghans must fulfill their commitments. Germany and most other European Union countries, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and others have fallen short on resettling the number of Afghans they promised to take in.

Conclusion

The current threats and risks faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan are deeply troubling. The decision by Pakistani authorities to deport over one million Afghans puts their lives at risk, as they would potentially face persecution and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Immediate action is needed from both Pakistan and the international community to end abuses against Afghan refugees, protect their rights, and uphold the obligations under international law.

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