On January 10, 2025, the Ministry of Refugees and Returnees reported that 108 Afghan families had returned to Afghanistan after being expelled from neighboring countries, Iran and Pakistan, Khaama Press reports.
The families arrived via various border crossings, including Torkham, Spin Boldak, Silk Bridge, and Islam Qala, and were provided assistance by local authorities, with referrals to aid organizations for additional support. This increase in returnees comes amid growing concerns over the treatment of Afghan migrants, particularly in Pakistan, where recent reports highlight the detention and deportation of Afghan refugees, even those with legal documentation.
Since September 2024, border crossings such as Torkham and Spin Boldak have seen a significant rise in Afghan migrant returns. These movements have prompted international calls for better protection and assistance for refugees, with Amnesty International urging Pakistan to release detained Afghan migrants and revoke policies that further complicate their status, such as the “No Objection Certificate” requirement. Meanwhile, Afghanistan continues to face ongoing challenges in addressing the needs of its returning citizens, calling for coordinated international support for their reintegration and well-being.
Germany, on the other hand, deported 1,361 Afghan asylum seekers in 2024, marking a 20% increase compared to the previous year, with some sent back to Afghanistan and others transferred under the EU’s Dublin Regulation. This rise in deportations comes amid concerns over security and migration policies following incidents involving Afghan migrants with extremist ties.
In a separate development, on January 11, two Afghan citizens were among five individuals executed in Iran’s Ghezel Hesar Prison, according to the human rights organization Hengaw. One of the Afghans, identified as Amanullah Tajik, was sentenced to death for premeditated murder. The executions occurred amid international criticism of Iran’s rising execution rates, with 901 cases reported in 2024, the highest in 15 years, prompting calls for reform and fairer justice practices.
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