Rights group urges Pakistan to halt Afghan deportations

Kabul

A coalition of human rights and refugee advocacy groups has urged Pakistan to stop the forced deportation of Afghan migrants, calling it a violation of international law and refugee protection commitments, Afghan media Amu TV reported Sunday.

The appeal follows Pakistan’s announcement of a March 31 deadline for Afghan migrants to leave voluntarily or face expulsion. Many of these migrants are awaiting resettlement in the U.S., Germany, Australia, France, and Britain.

In an open letter, the organizations condemned Pakistan’s mass arrests and forced displacement of Afghan refugees, stressing that these individuals fled their homeland to escape persecution and violence. They also criticized high visa fees imposed on Afghan migrants and the psychological toll caused by the threat of deportation.

Serious concerns were raised about Pakistani police actions, including detaining human rights activists, deporting unaccompanied children, and targeting vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and disabled individuals. The letter also alleged that Afghan women and girls have been subjected to gender-based violence in Pakistani detention centers.

The coalition accused Pakistan of expelling even those with valid visas and legal residency. It called for international intervention to uphold refugee rights and ensure legal protection for Afghan women and children facing violence.

Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for decades, with numbers increasing after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. However, reports indicate a worsening situation for migrants in recent years, with Pakistani authorities resorting to harsh measures and mass deportations.