Displaced International (DI) expresses our grave concern regarding Pakistan’s decision to deport Afghan refugees forcibly, a policy that not only disregards humanitarian principles but also exacerbates the suffering of already vulnerable individuals amid winter. 

Context and Urgency

Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, millions of Afghans have fled their homeland, seeking safety from persecution based on ethnicity, sect, political opinion, gender, and advocacy for fundamental human rights and institutionalization of democracy. Many have found refuge in Pakistan, a neighboring country historically intertwined with Afghanistan’s socio-political landscape. However, Pakistan's policy of frequent deportation of Afghan refugees places thousands of lives at risk. It violates the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international refugee law that prohibits the return of individuals to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. This customary principle is also rooted in Islamic law and the traditions of the Abrahamic prophets, which Afghanistan’s neighbors as member-states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) often violate.

Concerns

1. Weaponization of Refugees: Pakistan’s deportation policy appears to be an attempt to exert political pressure on the Taliban regime. This instrumentalization of refugees—individuals fleeing violence and persecution—is inhumane and unacceptable.
2. Complicity and Accountability: Pakistan’s historic support for the Taliban has enabled the group’s rise and ongoing oppression in Afghanistan. Forcing refugees back into the hands of the Taliban ignores Pakistan’s own role in creating the conditions from which these individuals fled.
3. Humanitarian Crisis: Deporting refugees during winter places them in immediate danger of exposure, starvation, and renewed persecution. Families, including women and children, will face insurmountable hardships without adequate shelter, food, or medical care.
4. Violation of International Obligations: As a signatory to various international agreements, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Pakistan has a responsibility to protect the rights of refugees and ensure their safety.

Call to Action

We urge the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, the United Nations Secretariat, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United States, the European Union, and other stakeholders, to:

1. Intervene Immediately: Ask Pakistan to halt the forcible deportation of Afghan refugees and honor its obligations under international law.
2. Provide Assistance: Mobilize resources to support Pakistani host communities in assisting Afghan refugees, ensuring that the burden of refugee protection is shared equitably. Such assistance should be channeled through UN agencies and credible civil society organizations, ensuring that no amount of aid is diverted for other purposes than supporting host and refugee communities. 
3. Address Root Causes: Advocate for policies that tackle the root causes of displacement in Afghanistan. One stands out: the lack of a legitimate and inclusive government, capable of defending Afghanistan's sovereignty and fulfilling the country's international obligations, contributes to the increasing challenges Afghans face. This situation can be addressed with meaningful international support, especially from the United States, to facilitate the resumption of intra-Afghan talks under the auspices of the United Nations for a sustainable political settlement, consistent with major UN Security Council resolutions passed before and after 2021.
4. Establish Safe Pathways: Facilitate the resettlement of Afghan refugees to third countries where they can rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.

Conclusion

The forcible deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate global attention. The international community must act decisively to protect the lives and rights of these vulnerable individuals and ensure that Pakistan’s actions align with its commitments to human rights and international law.

We at Displaced International are calling for justice, compassion, and solidarity with Afghan refugees. Sign this petition to amplify our demand for an end to forcible deportations and for the protection of those who have already endured unimaginable suffering.