RASC News Agency: On Thursday, October 12th, Human Rights Watch unveiled a comprehensive report drawing attention to the far-reaching consequences of the Pakistani government’s directive to deport Afghanistani refugees. The report emphasizes that upon their repatriation to Afghanistan, these individuals face a profoundly perilous situation, as they become susceptible to persecution at the hands of the Taliban group.
Furthermore, the report uncovers a distressing surge in violence, arbitrary assaults, and detentions inflicted upon these vulnerable asylum seekers by Pakistan’s security forces, serving as a direct repercussion of the government’s decision.
Patricia Gusman, the Deputy Director for Asia at Human Rights Watch, asserts that Afghanistani refugees are now confronting the looming risk of forced return to their home country. She stressed that upon their return, these individuals not only face the persistent threat of Taliban persecution but also must confront a severe humanitarian crisis. This dire situation has arisen due to the protracted delays in resettlement by certain countries and the United Nations’ unpreparedness for Pakistan’s sudden announcement.
In addition, Gusman highlighted that Afghanistani asylum seekers in Pakistan have long been subjected to a convoluted political tug-of-war between the two countries.
In the meantime, the government of Pakistan has officially announced a deadline for illegal asylum seekers to voluntarily leave the country by the end of this month, after which they will be forcefully deported. It is crucial to acknowledge that the establishment of the Taliban group in Afghanistan has resulted in a surge in the migration of its citizens to neighboring countries, including Pakistan. Experts posit that factors such as unemployment, poverty, an uncertain future, and security threats have collectively contributed to the heightened movement of these asylum seekers.
