UN Experts Call on Pakistan to Halt Afghan Refugee Expulsions Amid Rising Risks

United Nations experts have urged Pakistan to halt the expulsion of Afghan refugees who are at serious risk. They have expressed concerns regarding the safety and human rights of these individuals in Afghanistan.

It is Essential to Stop the Expulsion of Afghan Refugees

UN experts have advised the Pakistani government to cease the forced expulsion of Afghan refugees who face serious threats upon their return to Afghanistan. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, along with seven other experts, has raised concerns about this situation in a joint statement.

They have called on Pakistan to establish a transparent process for assessing the status of refugees. According to the experts, Afghans at risk should be able to declare their situations and be protected from expulsion while their cases are under review.

Registration of Vulnerable Refugee Identities

The experts have also welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to register around 16,000 vulnerable Afghan refugees, advocating for increased transparency in the registration process. The statement highlighted that specific groups such as women, girls, human rights defenders, and former officials may face significant dangers upon returning to Afghanistan.

Concerns for Afghan Students

Additionally, the experts have expressed concern over the situation of Afghan students pursuing medical and dental education in Pakistan. The decision by the Pakistan Medical Council to expel about 100 students, including 20 to 40 female students, has been deemed alarming.

In recent years, the Pakistani government has intensified the expulsion of undocumented refugees. In June, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry directed provincial authorities to proceed with the expulsions of Afghan nationals lacking legal documentation. These actions have heightened international concern among human rights organizations.