RASC News Agency: A coalition of human rights organizations and refugee advocacy groups has issued an open letter to the Pakistani government, condemning the forced deportation of Afghanistani refugees as a flagrant violation of international law, fundamental human rights, and Pakistan’s legal obligations. The letter calls for an immediate halt to the expulsions. The statement highlights the dire circumstances that have forced many Afghanistani men and women particularly human rights defenders and activists to flee their homeland, citing “persecution, violence, political repression, and so-called ‘honor killings.’” The organizations warn that “arbitrary detentions, exorbitant visa costs, and the looming threat of mass deportation” have placed refugees under immense strain.
The Pakistani government has set a deadline of March 31, 2025, for Afghanistani refugees awaiting resettlement in countries such as the United States, Germany, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom. Those who fail to leave by this date face the prospect of forced removal. The letter further accuses Pakistani authorities of unlawfully detaining human rights defenders and minors, deporting them without their families or legal guardians. Pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities have also reportedly been subjected to forced expulsion. Alarmingly, the letter asserts that even refugees with valid visas and legal residency permits are being targeted for deportation.
Of particular concern is the plight of Afghanistani women and girls in Pakistani detention centers, where, according to the letter, they are subjected to “gender-based violence.” The signatories stress that refugees must not be punished or coerced into returning to dangerous conditions and urge both the Pakistani government and the international community to take immediate action to halt these expulsions. They further call for legal protections to be established for Afghanistani women and girls at risk. The organizations emphasize that Pakistan must adhere to international legal frameworks, prevent forced deportations, and uphold its human rights commitments, ensuring the safety and dignity of all refugees within its borders.
