UNHCR Denies Role in Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan
Qaisar Afridi, spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told Afghanistan International that the agency has no role in the reported plan to forcibly repatriate around 150 Afghan refugees from Pakistan to Afghanistan. He also said UNHCR is unaware of any talks between the United States and Pakistan regarding this issue.
Afridi emphasized that the UNHCR’s position is clear: individuals at risk and in need of shelter should not be forcibly expelled. He stated that given the difficult situation of the Afghan people and the deprivation of girls’ education, any transfer of refugees must be with their consent and in accordance with international law.
The UNHCR spokesperson added that human rights organizations have expressed serious concerns about this process and stressed that upholding human rights and asylum laws is essential for all countries. Furthermore, some Pakistani officials and reliable sources in Islamabad informed Afghanistan International that they are unaware of plans for these refugees’ entry into Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Taliban administration’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed concern over these reports and called on the U.S. government to make any decisions regarding the fate of Afghan citizens through bilateral coordination to ensure their human dignity is preserved.
These developments occur amid growing widespread human rights concerns about Washington’s potential plans to repatriate Afghan refugees forcibly. Pressure on Afghan migrants in neighboring countries, especially Pakistan and Iran, is also increasing. According to United Nations statistics, millions of Afghan refugees have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan.
Human rights activists warn that the forced return of refugees who fled due to security threats, collaboration with foreign organizations, or the Taliban’s stringent laws places their lives and security at irreparable risk.
