Amnesty International on Tuesday called on countries to stop forcibly returning Afghan migrants to Afghanistan, saying people were being unlawfully deported by Pakistan, Iran and some European states despite the country’s deepening humanitarian crisis.
The rights group said forced returns were taking place even as Afghanistan struggles with widespread poverty, climate shocks and severe restrictions on women’s rights under Taliban rule.
The call follows remarks last week by UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) deputy head Georgette Gagnon, who told the UN Security Council that about 2.5 million Afghans have returned to the country so far, a figure she said represented a 6% population increase that is intensifying existing economic, climate and humanitarian pressures.
In a statement, Amnesty said Afghanistan faces a “deepening humanitarian crisis” and warned of a “real risk of serious harm” to returnees.
The organisation said countries must comply with international law prohibiting the forced return of people to places where they face a real risk of serious human rights violations.
“Generations of Afghans have fled to Pakistan and Iran during decades of conflict, meaning many young people have never lived in Afghanistan,” Amnesty said, adding that both countries have increasingly pressured Afghans to leave in recent years.
Amnesty also cited media reports that Germany, Austria and the European Union are holding talks with Taliban officials to facilitate deportations, warning that many returnees are unable to find work, while women and girls face sweeping restrictions under Taliban rule.
“This rush to forcibly return people to Afghanistan ignores why they fled in the first place and the serious dangers they face upon return,” said Smriti Singh, Amnesty’s South Asia director.
The warning comes as several Western countries, including the United States and European states, have tightened entry restrictions for Afghan asylum seekers.
At the same time, Iran and Pakistan have stepped up arrests and forced deportations of Afghan migrants living in their countries, Amnesty said.
