The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) recently expressed concerns about the repercussions of orders from Pakistan for undocumented foreigners to leave the country. These fears were shared during a press briefing, wherein the prime source of worry was the anxiety and dread spreading within Afghan communities.
According to Philippa Candler, the UNHCR representative in Pakistan, the consequences for Afghan nationals – comprising both registered refugees and individuals with valid documents – could be significant.
Ever since Pakistan announced the deportation plan on October 3, there has been an uptick in the number of arrests, detentions, and deportations of Afghans. The UNHCR estimates that around 374,000 people have returned to Afghanistan since the order was issued. Even for Afghans with valid refugee status, the government’s actions have fostered panic.
Many human rights organizations have echoed concerns about the potential for human rights violations. They argue that the Afghan nationals in the backdrop of Pakistan’s deportation order are highly vulnerable, and have urged the Pakistani government to cease detentions, deportations, and harassment of Afghan refugees.
Notably, Amnesty International has asserted that the deportation centres established by the Pakistani government overlook detainees’ rights to legal representation, liberty, and a fair trial. This concern is particularly significant in light of the international human rights law and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). The principle of non-refoulement prohibits countries from returning migrants to a state where they might face torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or other forms of irreparable harm. As Pakistan ratified the UNCAT in 2010, this principle applies.
In conclusion, the concerns raised by the UNHCR and the array of human rights organizations certainly suggest that the international community must carefully monitor the situation in Pakistan and its implications for Afghan nationals. For more details, do have a look at the original article.