Afghan refugees in Pakistan face heightened abuse, deportation threats

A new report highlights abuse and dangers faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan as a deadline for their deportation approaches. The organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) released the report on Wednesday, stressing that many refugees risk persecution if they return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule. HRW researcher Fereshta Abbasi warned that if deported, especially women, may face severe consequences in Afghanistan. She noted the Taliban's history of detaining and harming women who fight for their rights. The organization emphasized that the international community must prevent these deportations. Pakistan's Interior Ministry has ordered all undocumented foreigners and Afghan citizen card holders to leave by March 31. Those who do not comply risk deportation starting April 1. There are an estimated 3.7 million Afghans in Pakistan, many of whom have lived there for decades, fleeing wars or the Taliban's recent takeover. The report indicates that Afghan refugees, including women and children, are experiencing intensified abuse from Pakistani authorities. Reports include house raids, police violence, and demands for bribes to avoid deportation. It highlights that even registered refugees are not safe, with numerous cases of arbitrary detention. HRW urged Pakistan to stop coercing Afghans to return to their home country. It also called on the Taliban to ensure that returning Afghans are not punished and to improve their treatment of women and girls. The economic situation in Afghanistan is dire, with millions needing aid and many unable to access basic services. Canadian officials are monitoring the situation closely and are processing Afghan refugee applications. They stress that Afghanistan remains unsafe for returns and are advocating for expedited resettlement efforts for at-risk individuals.