The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have expressed concern over Pakistan’s plan to relocate registered Afghan refugees from Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The plan involves moving Afghan nationals with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) out of these cities and repatriating them to Afghanistan, alongside undocumented refugees. The UN agencies have sought clarification from the Pakistani government regarding the modalities and timeframe of this relocation.
The UNHCR and IOM emphasize the need for any relocation measures to adhere to human rights standards, including due process, and to consider the legal status of Afghan nationals who have resided in Pakistan for extended periods. They also highlight the potential risks faced by certain groups, such as ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, journalists, human rights activists, and members of artistic professions, upon return to Afghanistan.
Since the beginning of the year, there has been an increase in arrests of Afghan nationals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, causing significant distress among the refugee community. Reports indicate that Afghan nationals of various documentation statuses have been rounded up, with more than 800 deported so far this year from these areas alone.
The UNHCR and IOM urge Pakistan to continue providing safety to Afghans at risk, irrespective of their documentation status, and to implement any relocation measures with due consideration for human rights standards.
