The United Nations refugee agency has issued a grave warning about an impending "human rights catastrophe" due to the large-scale return of Afghan nationals living in Pakistan. The Pakistani government had set an October 31 deadline for Afghans to leave the country, resulting in a significant number of Afghans already departing between October 3 and October 15, as reported by the UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration.
The two organizations have urgently appealed to the Pakistani authorities to halt the forced repatriation of Afghan nationals before it leads to a severe human rights crisis. They express deep concern that those facing deportation are at substantial risk of human rights violations upon their return to Afghanistan. These violations encompass arbitrary arrests, and detentions, as well as the potential for torture, inhumane treatment, and other abuses. This policy has also faced strong condemnation from Pakistani Nobel Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai.
Malala emphasized that Afghan refugees, including children, women, men, and the elderly, who are fleeing persecution by the Taliban, should receive support, dignity, and protection instead of encountering additional obstacles and harassment. She echoed the call made by UN experts and urged the Pakistani government to reconsider its hastily implemented mass deportation policy.
Over the years, millions of Afghans escaping conflict and the Taliban have sought sanctuary in Pakistan. The Pakistani government estimates that approximately 4.4mn Afghan refugees reside in the country, with 1.7mn lacking valid documentation. Pakistan maintains that its new policy of mass deportation of undocumented migrants is not limited to a particular nationality and asserts that those apprehended will not be subjected to mistreatment.
It's worth noting that Islamabad has long accused the Taliban in Afghanistan of providing shelter to militants who frequently cross the border between the two nations to launch attacks against Pakistani security forces. The Taliban denies these allegations.
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