The year 1404, in addition to other events, has so far proven to be a very difficult year for Afghan migrants living in neighboring countries, especially in Iran and Pakistan.
During this year, incidents of harassment, arrest, and torture of Afghan migrants in neighboring countries increased, while many were deported to Afghanistan in poor conditions—especially from Pakistan, where the repatriation process is still ongoing.
The Ministry of Refugees says that more than 3 million Afghan migrants have been expelled this year from Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan.
They say that most of these migrants were mistreated by host countries, unlawfully detained, tortured, and then forcibly expelled.
The spokesperson of the ministry says that during this period, 214,000 families were forcibly expelled from Pakistan.
He added that more than 12,000 Afghan migrants who were imprisoned in Iran and Pakistan have returned to the country after being released.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations, Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, said: “From the mentioned countries, 1,122,312 single individuals have been expelled, and 12,275 prisoners have been released from various prisons in Pakistan and Iraq and returned to their country. With this, the total number of returnees has reached 3,114,107 people.”
Haqqani said that, in addition to other facilities, food assistance, healthcare services, and shelter have been provided to these returnees.
He added that the Ministry of Refugees has also provided nearly 4 billion Afghanis in cash assistance to these returnees.
Mr. Haqqani further said that, in cooperation with international organizations, assistance worth 16 billion Afghanis has been provided to 475,000 displaced families.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations, Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, said: “In the area of emergency assistance, during the current year, with the cooperation of partner organizations, around 470,300 returnee and internally displaced families have received assistance worth about 16,253,061,938 Afghanis in cash, food, non-food items, healthcare, legal advice, and shelter, benefiting nearly 3,276,000 people directly.”
On the other hand, refugee rights activists say that the treatment of Afghan migrants by host countries—especially Pakistan—is contrary to Islamic and humanitarian principles and conflicts with the United Nations Charter.
These activists say that neighboring countries have used Afghan migrants as a tool to pressure the Afghan government.
Refugee rights activist Abdul Razzaq Adil said: “Using migrants as a tool of political pressure not only does not provide a lasting solution for Pakistan’s security, but also leads to international isolation and creates resentment in the hearts of future generations. From a legal perspective, Pakistan is obliged to adhere to its commitments regarding refugees. Current practices, such as late-night arrests, forced deportations, and confiscation of property, are morally unjust and illegal under international law.”
Additionally, some other activists say that the assistance provided by international organizations to returnees is insufficient and that these organizations should provide more support for their resettlement.
Refugee rights activist Alireza Karimi said: “The increase in arrests and forced deportations of Afghan migrants, especially journalists, is a matter of concern and is in conflict with human rights principles and international commitments regarding refugees. To resolve this issue, it is necessary for international organizations, human rights groups, and influential countries to, through dialogue and diplomatic pressure, ask the government of Pakistan to respect the legal rights of refugees and prevent arrests and forced deportations.”
Since the return of the Islamic Emirate to power, the deportation of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries—especially Pakistan—has increased more than ever.
According to the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriations, more than 8 million migrants have returned from neighboring countries, especially Iran and Pakistan, since the Islamic Emirate returned to power.
