We’re writing with heavy hearts to share a devastating update.
The Pakistani government has officially launched Phase 3 of its so-called “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.” According to a public statement by UNHCR, even Afghan nationals with valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards have been given a deadline — they must leave the country by August 31, 2025.
“The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has been officially informed by the Pakistani government that PoR holders have been given a one-month deadline until August 31, 2025, to make arrangements for their return to Afghanistan. The decision has also been communicated to provincial authorities. UNHCR will continue to engage with the Pakistani government in the coming days to obtain further information and clarification.”
This marks the total collapse of any protection for Afghan refugees.
We are now witnessing the following:
- Systematic arrests of Afghans with expired or soon-to-expire visas. Police are going door to door using stored residency data.
- Detainees are denied access to their phones for over 36 hours, brought to detention camps near the border, and forcibly deported.
- Upon deportation, returnees — especially women human rights defenders and activists — are being actively identified by Taliban intelligence.
- Some disappear without a trace.
- Former police officers of the Afghan Republic are reportedly publicly executed.
Despite our direct appeal to UNHCR to issue updated registration documents for the women in our group — many of whom are already registered — the agency has confirmed that since a 2022 government order, it is no longer allowed to issue protective documents.
Only valid Pakistani visas offer protection — and these are increasingly rejected, delayed, or arbitrarily invalidated.
Even legal departures are now blocked.
Last night, nine of our human rights defenders were stopped at Islamabad Airport, despite holding valid visas, official letters from the Brazilian Ministry, and confirmed flight tickets.
Authorities falsely claimed that their visas were medical visas and canceled the flights.
This is not an isolated case — it reflects a systemic problem:
The Brazilian embassy typically refuses to intervene, citing diplomatic constraints.
In past incidents, they only stepped in after several failed departure attempts — and then stated they would not do it again.
Exit permits are tied to specific flights, so if a flight is missed, the entire process must be restarted and paid for again — with no guarantee that the harassment won’t repeat itself.
This is not a border crisis — it is bureaucratic violence.
At the same time, the issuing of humanitarian visas has come to a halt.
All evacuation routes — to Brazil, Spain, and France — are currently blocked.
It’s no longer about evacuating people. It’s about helping them survive:
- Repeatedly filing Pakistani visa applications, even though the chances of success are slim
- Paying for clean water, medication, shelter, legal aid
- Protecting women and families who are being directly targeted by the Taliban
A glimmer of hope.
This week, paralympic athlete Shakila M. — crippled due to Taliban violence — arrived safely in Brazil. One life out of hundreds.
It shows: when the world pays attention, lives can be saved.
But most remain trapped — criminalized, exposed, abandoned.
Last week, a woman from our group gave birth.
Despite having recently undergone a caesarean section, she spends most of her day walking with her children through forests and parks to avoid being arrested by the police.
Here is a video recorded two weeks before — it shows her desperate living conditions:
🎥 https://youtu.be/jA3P-WMUMsY
What we ask of you:
🖊️ Sign and share the petition — the more voices, the greater the protection
💸 Donate if you can — every euro goes directly to food, rent, medicine, and organizing safe shelter
Name: HeartWork Stichting
🌍 https://heartwork.earth/peacework/
📣 Do you have contacts in media, law, or diplomacy? Please get in touch.
We need governments to act.
We need embassies to step up.
And we need you — to help keep the flame of hope alive.
Thank you for standing with us.
✊ With gratitude and urgency,
Nadja & Team