KABUL, Afghanistan – Taliban officials in a meeting with Robert Dickson, the UK’s charge d’affaires for Afghanistan, called for increased humanitarian aid and cooperation in support of migrants amid mounting deportations from neighboring countries.
The Taliban-run Ministry of Refugees said that Abdul Kabir, the Taliban’s minister of refugees, urged greater international assistance during the meeting. He said that Afghan migrants are being subjected to “oppression and injustice” that violates Islamic values, humanitarian principles, and international law.
This comes as many activists who have fled over Taliban threats said they are concerned about being sent back to Afghanistan.
This comes as Pakistan and Iran continue large-scale deportations of Afghans, many of whom had lived in the countries for years without formal legal status. Pakistani officials have said the deadline for the voluntary return of undocumented Afghan nationals has expired, and have rejected calls to extend it.
According to the statement, Dickson told Taliban officials that a new proposal related to Afghanistan is under consideration at the United Nations and will be shared with the Taliban administration at a later stage.
Dickson has not commented on the meeting so far.
Taliban have faced growing international criticism over their human rights record, especially regarding the treatment of women and girls. Despite this, they continue to seek foreign engagement, particularly in addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting millions of Afghans displaced both inside and outside the country.
