Kabul: UN experts, including Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, have called on Pakistan to cease the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
According to Human Online correspondent Abdul, In a joint statement issued on Friday, the UN experts expressed deep concern over the ongoing forced deportations of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan. They urged Pakistan to continue hosting Afghan refugees, highlighting the country’s longstanding role as a neighbor and refuge for millions of displaced Afghans.
"Millions of Afghans in Pakistan are at risk of being deported without addressing their fundamental needs. This constitutes a clear violation of international human rights and refugee law and contradicts the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees," the experts stated.
They further noted that budget cuts were impeding the ability of the Afghan government and humanitarian organizations to adequately support refugees returning from neighboring countries.
The UN experts also emphasized that Pakistan’s actions are inconsistent with international refugee protection laws.
The statement comes as the Pakistani government initiated the second phase of deportations of Afghan refugees from the country. Pakistani media reported on Friday that at least 60 Afghan nationals had been arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi as part of the ongoing deportation efforts. The detained individuals have reportedly been transferred to the Haji Camp area.
