Islamabad has resumed forced repatriations, setting 1 September as the deadline for the departure of 1.4 million Afghans. The decision was taken despite the humanitarian disaster in their homeland, where, according to a recent US State Department report, the Taliban are imposing an ‘institutionalised system of repression’.

Islamabad/Kabul (AsiaNews) - Four years after the Taliban returned to power, the humanitarian situation for Afghans continues to deteriorate, including refugees in Pakistan.

Last week, Islamabad set 1 September as the deadline for the departure of 1.4 million Afghans, some of whom have residence permits.

The forced repatriation programme was initially approved in October 2023 but was then officially suspended in mid-2024 due to international pressure.

Recently, however, Pakistan has re-established diplomatic ties with Afghanistan by sending its own ambassador to Kabul in June.

According to Pakistani officials quoted by Nikkei Asia, relations with Afghanistan remain positive and Afghan citizens are welcome if they apply for visas and reside in the country legally, ‘but not as refugees.’

Analysts such as Fakhar Kakakhel explained that ‘the regime has made it clear that the war is over and now is the time to develop their homeland.’

A Pakistani official added, on condition of anonymity, that Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for over 40 years and that now is the time for them to leave.

There are many reasons behind this crackdown. According to analyst Noreen Naseer, there are growing security concerns in the north-western areas of the country, which border Afghanistan and are the scene of an increasing number of terrorist attacks.

Another reason is the feeling, perceived by some officials, of a ‘lack of gratitude’ on the part of Afghan refugees for the support offered by Pakistan over the years.

Islamabad's decision was also influenced by Iran's approach, which recently expelled thousands of refugees, prompting Pakistan to resume doing the same. The West's indifference is also a factor contributing to the crisis, analysts have pointed out.

However, the situation in Afghanistan remains dire from a humanitarian perspective, as described in a recent report published by the US State Department, which speaks of a ‘general disregard for the rule of law and official impunity’ for abuses committed.

The report reiterates the ‘significant deterioration’ in women's rights, who have been ‘effectively removed from public spaces’.

Women's freedom of movement has been restricted and secondary education has been banned.

However, women in Afghanistan also face barriers to healthcare: male doctors are generally not allowed to treat them, female patients must be accompanied by a male guardian, and the number of qualified female healthcare workers is steadily declining due to the closure of university courses that train them.

The report also cites ‘credible accounts’ of arbitrary killings, often as a form of retaliation against individuals linked to the previous Western-backed government.

UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett reported that killings have been recorded ‘in private homes, public spaces and detention facilities’ and have involved human rights defenders, lawyers, judges, students, teachers and police officers, ‘in many cases women’, despite the Taliban's initial promise of a ‘general amnesty’ for former officials.

Between April and June 2024, the UN mission in Afghanistan recorded at least 179 cases of corporal punishment carried out by court order, including public floggings of men and women for adultery, robbery and other alleged crimes.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also said that stoning is ‘part of Sharia law’ and will be applied if conditions allow.

The report also documents the spread of child recruitment and the persistence of early and forced marriage, a practice that affects nearly 39% of women between the ages of 15 and 49.

To make matters worse, the US State Department denounces the suppression of freedom of expression and of the press, with journalists being detained and beaten, and the imposition of strict censorship.

Impunity for Taliban soldiers is ‘a significant problem’ and independent investigations into abuses are not allowed.

In summary, the report concludes that the Taliban government is ‘inconsistent with the country's obligations and commitments under international law,’ imposing an ‘institutionalised system’ of repression.

 

 

 

• Pakistan
• Afghanistan
• Taliban
• Islam
• fundamentalism
• refugees
• expulsions
• repatriations