Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund has pledged amnesty for Afghans abroad willing to return to the country, including those who left after the 2021 US military withdrawal. Akhund assured, “Afghans who have left the country should return to their homeland … Nobody will harm them,” urging officials to offer shelter and support to returnees.
The announcement comes in the wake of a recent US travel ban affecting 12 countries, including Afghanistan. This ban restricts both permanent and temporary stays, prompting criticism from Akhund, who described the move as “beyond tolerance” and labeled the US as an “oppressor.”
Akhund’s promise extends to former collaborators with US forces, assuring them that they would “not face abuse or trouble.” He mentioned that even those who served the Americans for decades should return, notwithstanding their role during the US-led conflict.
This pledge resembles a general amnesty declared by the Taliban in 2021 meant to protect former government officials and those aligned with Western powers. However, reports from the United Nations and Human Rights Watch highlight ongoing incidents of extrajudicial detentions and killings, raising doubts about the effectiveness of such pledges.
According to HRW, the Taliban allegedly instructed former Afghan National Security Forces members to register for safety letters, which were later used in detaining and executing individuals. These grave concerns overshadow the good faith of the amnesty offer, putting potential returnees in a precarious position as they contemplate a move back to Afghanistan.
The Taliban’s swift takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, coinciding with the US and NATO force withdrawal, marked the end of a 20-year conflict, also witnessing the evacuation of over 120,000 individuals deemed at risk. The backdrop of these events continues to elicit cautious responses from Afghans considering a return under the present regime.