UN Expresses Concern Over Expulsion of Afghans from Pakistan

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed concern on Wednesday, November 15, regarding reports of the expulsion of Afghans from Pakistan involving mistreatment, arbitrary detention, destruction of property and personal belongings, and extortion. Pakistan had asked unauthorized foreign nationals, including Afghans, to leave the country by November 1. In a statement from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, it was noted that by November 10, over 327,000 individuals had entered Afghanistan from Pakistan, many of whom fled their country due to fear of arrest. The Commissioner added that despite a nationwide directive from the Pakistani government stating that individuals with registration documents and Afghan citizenship cards should only return voluntarily, the office has received complaints indicating that this was overlooked in some cases. These cards are issued by the Pakistani government with the support of the UN Refugee Agency, and their holders are recognized refugees and not considered illegal immigrants. Volker Turk stated, 'These new developments are inconsistent with Pakistan's decades-long tradition of generously hosting a large number of Afghan refugees.' The office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner further stated that it has received direct reports from Afghans crossing the border, claiming they faced arbitrary mistreatment or abuse from Pakistani officials. According to one witness, local police in Pakistan raided their home at night, seizing cash, jewelry, goats, sheep, and other items belonging to him and his family. He added that they had only a few hours to gather their remaining belongings and leave, while the police demolished their home with a bulldozer at dawn. Mr. Turk stated, 'Many Afghans enter with limited financial resources and were forced to leave their homes and jobs, while their property was seized or they were forced to pay bribes.' He believes, 'The current situation in Afghanistan exacerbates this situation, creating a humanitarian crisis.' The office also mentioned that it has received reports of the arbitrary detention of Afghans in Pakistan, which in some cases involved mistreatment. Volker Turk stated, 'Under international law, arbitrary detentions violate Pakistan's obligations.' In another part of the statement, it was noted that women and girls being returned to Afghanistan are particularly vulnerable, as they are deprived of education, work in most sectors, access to parks, and other public spaces due to government policies and local officials, facing many restrictions in their lives. Volker Turk urged Pakistan to protect Afghans facing dangers in their home country, including women and girls, former government officials and security forces, ethnic and religious minorities, human rights defenders, civil society activists, and media workers. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reiterated its request to the Pakistani government to suspend the Afghan return program until individual assessment procedures and other safeguards required by international law are implemented, and complaints regarding abuse by law enforcement officers are investigated. On this occasion, the UN Human Rights Commissioner released a video report on X, where Daniel Anders, the humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan, explains the difficult conditions faced by Afghans returning to their country. UN report: Recognition of the Taliban government depends on women's freedom in Afghanistan. Pakistan: Expulsion of Afghan migrants is a reaction to the Taliban's lack of cooperation. Pakistan accelerates the return of Afghans to their country. Pakistan expelled Afghan migrants ahead of schedule. Western countries and the UN request Pakistan to protect at-risk Afghans. The US sends urgent aid to earthquake victims in Afghanistan.