GENEVA - UN experts* today expressed alarm ahead of Pakistan's planned deportations of Afghans as of 1 September, warning of imminent harmful consequences for returnees, and calling for urgent respect for international legal obligations.
"Millions of Afghans in Pakistan are at risk of being sent to a country unable to cope with an existing humanitarian crisis where over three million people are already displaced, and where their lives and freedoms may be in danger," the experts said, pointing to wide-ranging concerns about ongoing human rights violations, especially severe deprivation of women and girls' rights, including freedom of movement, education and employment. They stressed that many Afghan children and youth will see their education abruptly interrupted, in particular women and girls for whom education is banned above grade 6 in Afghanistan.
On 31 July, the Government of Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be repatriated under its ongoing 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan' with the most recent deadline set for 1 September. This includes for the first time the deportation of refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. Many of these Afghans have lived in Pakistan for decades; some adults were born there and have never lived in Afghanistan. Others at risk of deportation include Afghans who arrived in Pakistan more recently, fleeing persecution and violent reprisals in the wake of the Taliban's resurgence. Reports from refugees and communities in exile already indicate a spike in arbitrary arrests, detentions and deportations of Afghans in recent weeks.
"Pakistan has an obligation under international human rights and refugee law not to return anyone to a place where they face serious threats to their lives or freedom," the experts said. "The obligation of non-refoulement is not optional - it is a cornerstone of treaty and customary international law that must be upheld."
"Many of those facing deportation have no home to return to in Afghanistan and lack family and community support networks - especially women and girls who face severe deprivations of their rights under Taliban rule," they said. "We are especially concerned about the situation of women-headed households and those without a mahram (male guardian), who are at heightened risk."
The experts noted that other groups, such as members of the former Republic's security forces and former government officials, risk persecution and violence as documented in multiple reports, including by UNAMA in July. "Afghans of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities also face significant risk of discrimination and persecution on return," they said.
"We urge the Government of Pakistan to immediately halt the planned deportations and respect the principle of non-refoulement," the experts said, citing UNHCR's 2023 Guidance Note on the International Protection Needs of People Fleeing Afghanistan.
The experts acknowledged the long-term hosting of large numbers of Afghan refugees by Pakistan and urged the international community to increase its support to the Government of Pakistan as well as host communities. They also expressed deep regret that States committed to third country resettlement have reduced or halted their programmes, thus turning away from principles of international solidarity and responsibility-sharing with countries hosting refugees.
"Afghan refugees and others in exile need sustainable, humane, and rights- respecting support and protection," they said.
