Warning from Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations about the Critical Situation of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

In a statement released on Tuesday, (January 22), Afghan civil society and human rights organizations expressed their deep concern about the critical conditions of Afghan refugees, especially human rights defenders, women, children, and vulnerable groups in Pakistan. The statement identifies the actions of the Pakistani government, including the forced expulsion of refugees and violations of international law, as the main reasons for the worsening of their situation.

The statement emphasizes that after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, thousands of Afghan citizens, including human rights activists, journalists, and female protesters, were forced to flee their homeland. However, recent decisions by the Pakistani government to forcibly expel refugees, without regard for the serious risks they face in Afghanistan, constitute a clear violation of human rights and have endangered the lives of thousands of individuals.

The organizations also criticized the performance of the United Nations and its cooperating office (SHARP) in Pakistan. The statement notes that these organizations have failed to protect the refugees and have remained silent in the face of violations by the Pakistani government. This behavior has led to increased despair and helplessness among Afghan refugees.

In their statement, the organizations have called on the United Nations and UNHCR to immediately stop the forced expulsion of refugees, ensure their security, review the performance of the SHARP office and address its inefficiencies, and accelerate the process of refugee registration and relocation to safe countries.

They have also requested the Pakistani government to respect international laws, immediately halt the forced expulsion of refugees, and cooperate with international organizations in providing humanitarian assistance to refugees.

Civil society organizations have warned that the continuation of the current situation could lead to another humanitarian disaster in Pakistan. They emphasized that the international community's indifference will not only increase the suffering of refugees but will also undermine the credibility of international institutions.

The statement calls on the United Nations, the Pakistani government, and the international community to take immediate and effective actions to manage the Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan and ensure their rights in accordance with international commitments.