UNHCR Condemns Planned Afghan Refugee Deportations from Pakistan
The UNHCR has issued a strong appeal to Pakistan, urging an immediate halt to the planned deportation of Afghan refugees. The agency voiced serious concerns over the potential human rights violations inherent in these forced returns.
The deportations, scheduled to commence on September 1, 2025, are particularly worrying given the vulnerability of many Afghan refugees. The UNHCR highlighted the disproportionate impact on women, children, and the sick.
The UN agency stressed the need for Pakistan to grant exemptions to vulnerable groups and adopt a more humanitarian approach to the situation. It emphasized the importance of upholding international refugee protection standards.
This urgent plea underscores the precarious situation facing Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The looming deportations risk triggering a humanitarian crisis and further destabilizing an already volatile region. The international community must now pressure Pakistan to reconsider its policy and ensure the safety and well-being of these vulnerable individuals.