Afghanistan Times
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AT Kabul: Amnesty International’s South Asia division has launched a new campaign calling for the cancellation of Pakistan’s plan to deport Afghan migrants. The organization issued a statement on Friday, April 5, emphasizing the plight of Afghan citizens who face the threat of illegal deportation.
According to the statement, the campaign aims to amplify the voices of Afghans who are at risk of being unlawfully expelled from Pakistan. Many of these individuals, including refugees and asylum seekers, have been living in the country for decades, with some having resided in Pakistan for over 40 years.
Babu Ram Pant, Regional Deputy Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, expressed concern about the situation, stating: “Afghan citizens, including refugees and asylum seekers, have been living in fear and uncertainty since the announcement of the phased deportation plan by Pakistani authorities in October 2023.” He added that the ongoing fear of deportation has caused immense stress for many Afghan families.
The deportation plan, which started in October 2023, has raised significant human rights concerns, as it involves forcibly removing thousands of Afghan nationals from Pakistan. Amnesty International has called on the Pakistani government to halt the deportation process and to ensure the protection of the human rights of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status.
The rights group’s campaign highlights the vulnerability of Afghan migrants, many of whom fled Afghanistan due to conflict, instability, and violence. The deportation plan threatens to uproot families who have built lives in Pakistan over several decades, with little to no support systems in Afghanistan to help them reintegrate.
Amnesty International’s advocacy efforts aim to secure the rights of these migrants and push for a compassionate response from the Pakistani government, urging them to uphold international human rights standards and provide asylum to those who need protection.
