Russia says Afghan refugee expulsions show Western double standards

Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, has criticised the expulsion of Afghan refugees by the United States and European countries, describing the policy as evidence of the West’s double standards on human rights.

She said that criticising the Taliban administration for human rights violations while at the same time expelling Afghans from Western countries adds to what she described as a “two-faced and opportunistic” approach.

Her remarks came as Germany recently decided to deport nearly 500 Afghans. According to the report, nearly half of these people have not been convicted of any crime.

The expulsion of Afghan refugees from Western countries has drawn criticism at a time when the human rights situation and broad restrictions under Taliban rule remain one of the main points of debate over the forced return of migrants to Afghanistan.