Rights group urges Pakistan to cease harassment and arbitrary detention of Afghan refugees – JURIST
Amnesty International (AI) issued a call on Wednesday for the Pakistan government to cease its arbitrary detention and harassment of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.
This appeal comes in response to alarming reports of widespread abuses by law enforcement agencies, including night raids and the detention of hundreds of Afghan individuals, including vulnerable groups such as women and children. AI emphasizes that these actions are part of a broader discriminatory policy targeting Afghan nationals within Pakistan, exacerbating their precarious situation.
The urgency of AI’s statement is underscored by a requirement for Afghan refugees in Islamabad to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC). This policy imposes additional burdens on refugees already navigating complex documentation requirements. The organization warns that such measures not only violate international human rights norms but also place Afghan refugees at greater risk, prompting many to consider returning to Afghanistan, where they face significant threats under Taliban rule.
AI’s Deputy Regional Director for South Asia, Babu Ram Pant, highlighted the sweeping nature of these actions, which have led to the harassment and detention of individuals even when they possess valid documentation. AI further urged the Pakistani authorities to adhere to their legal obligations by immediately releasing detained individuals and revoking the NOC requirement.
Pakistan has hosted a significant number of Afghan refugees, many of whom fled their homeland due to decades of conflict. However, in recent months, Pakistan increased the arrest and deportation of Afghan refugees. Despite international obligations to protect refugees, recent policy shifts in Pakistan have led to increased vulnerability for this population.
As of January 2025, the situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan has reached a critical juncture, with over 400,000 Afghans having returned to Afghanistan since the implementation of the government ultimatum on November 1, 2023. This policy mandated the expulsion of undocumented foreign nationals, primarily affecting the estimated 1.7 million Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan.
These individuals face harsh conditions upon their arrival in Afghanistan, where many have reported severe hardships and a lack of resources. The situation is particularly dire for women and children among the Afghan refugee population. Many face heightened risks if they return to Afghanistan, where human rights abuses have intensified under Taliban governance.
AI’s call for action reflects a growing consensus among human rights advocates regarding the need for Pakistan to uphold its commitments under international law. As the situation escalates, the ongoing advocacy of several human rights organizations seeks not only to halt current abuses but also to promote long-term solutions that respect the rights and dignity of all refugees within Pakistan’s borders.
