Amnesty International warns against continued Afghan migrant expulsion

KABUL (Khaama Press): The International Amnesty Organization has expressed concerns that Pakistan’s program to continue expelling Afghan migrants will put many of them at risk.
The organization has urged countries to expedite the processing of asylum cases and the resettlement of Afghan migrants.
Amnesty International has also called on the Pakistani government to halt the mass expulsion of Afghan migrants and to protect the rights of asylum seekers in accordance with international laws.
According to Pakistani officials, after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, around six hundred to eight hundred thousand Afghans migrated to Pakistan.
Many intend to seek asylum in other countries, while some face uncertain fate.
The Pakistani government recently instructed its police force to begin the second phase of expelling Afghan migrants.
Pakistani media reported that nearly one million Afghan migrants will be expelled from Pakistan in the second phase.
Pakistani authorities stated that this phase is likely to begin in the summer.
Amidst a dire humanitarian crisis in the country, the ongoing expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan exacerbates the challenges faced by returnees. Many lack basic necessities such as water, foodstuffs, shelter, and job opportunities upon their return, further compounding their struggles.
Furthermore, as winter approaches, the situation for Afghan returnees becomes even more precarious. Harsh winter conditions threaten their already vulnerable situation, with inadequate shelter and limited access to essential resources intensifying their plight.
Earlier, in the first phase, Pakistan announced in November last year that it would expel 1.7 million undocumented migrants. Pakistani media estimate that around half a million migrants have returned to Afghanistan so far.