ISLAMABAD — A coalition of human rights organizations and refugee advocacy groups has called on Pakistan to immediately halt the forced deportation of Afghan migrants, saying the policy violates international law and Pakistan’s own commitments to refugee protection.
In an open letter to the Pakistani government, the organizations warned that many of the migrants—including human rights defenders, political activists, and victims of gender-based violence—had fled Afghanistan to escape persecution, violence, and repression.
The letter condemned mass arrests, forced displacement, and exorbitant visa fees imposed on Afghan refugees, saying the threat of imminent deportation has left thousands under severe distress.
The warning comes as Pakistan has set a March 31 deadline for Afghan migrants awaiting resettlement in countries such as the United States, Germany, Australia, France, and Britain to leave the country voluntarily—or face forced expulsion.
The letter also raised concerns about Pakistan’s law enforcement practices, alleging that police have detained human rights defenders and children and deported them without family members or legal guardians. Among those at risk of deportation, it said, are pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities.
The organizations further stated that even Afghans holding valid visas and legal residency permits have been subjected to forced deportation, in violation of international law.
The letter also highlighted gender-based violence in Pakistani detention centers, saying Afghan women and girls face heightened risks while in custody.
The letter urged Pakistan and the international community to ensure that Afghan refugees are not penalized or forcibly expelled. It called for legal protections for Afghan women and girls and demanded that international refugee laws be upheld to prevent further deportations.
The signatories stressed that Pakistan must cease forced expulsions immediately and comply with its legal and humanitarian obligations.
