UN calls to stop Afghan refugees expulsion from Pakistan
The United Nations officials stated on Wednesday urging the Pakistani government to immediately halt the process of expelling over one million Afghan migrants.
United Nations Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, joined by fellow UN officials Felipe González Morales and Reem Al Salem, called on Wednesday for an immediate halt to the expulsion of over one million Afghan migrants by the Pakistani government.
According to their joint statement published on the United Nations Human Rights Council website, they expressed concern over reports indicating that since Pakistan announced the repatriation program for Afghan migrants to their home country, resident Afghans in Pakistan have been at risk of detention, exploitation, and unlawful treatment.
The statement also highlights that many Afghan migrants sought refuge in Pakistan due to serious human rights concerns, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, and for their safety.
Despite the growing concerns voiced by the United Nations and various international human rights organizations, the Pakistani government remains resolute in its determination to continue expulsing undocumented Afghan migrants, adhering to its pre-established plan.
Pakistan’s military further reinforced this stance by supporting the expulsion of Afghan migrants lacking proper documentation. Officials in Pakistan have cited the alleged presence of Afghan militants involved in terrorist activities within Pakistan as the primary rationale behind this expulsion. Consequently, the Pakistani government has issued an urgent call, demanding that Afghan migrants vacate the country within less than two weeks.
Meanwhile, The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan reported that in just one day, over 500 Afghan migrant families returned to their home country.
The UN Special Rapporteurs have called on countries to “facilitate the safe resettlement of at-risk Afghans in other countries and provide support to them.”
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