Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday expressed concerns over the interim government’s decision to expel undocumented foreigners, mostly the Afghan nationals, and urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure protection for Afghan refugees. With the deadline approaching, the undocumented foreigners are facing imminent expulsion and this has given rise to the fears of humanitarian crisis.
In a letter addressed to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi on Tuesday, HRCP Chairperson Hina Jilani said the move to expel Afghans could “trigger a humanitarian crisis”.
“The decision amounts to forced repatriation, which is not recognised under international customary law, and will invariably affect vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers, which include women, children, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, persons from low-income groups, and Afghans at risk because of their professions — many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Afghan Taliban took over the government in August 2021,” the letter stated.
The HRCP letter also noted that despite criticism from human rights organizations, the Pakistan government had not shown any signs of reconsidering its decision and had gone so far as to prevent civil society members from expressing their views on the matter.
It highlighted that the interim interior minister had announced that the current phase of expulsion would be followed by the deportation of foreign with legitimate documents, including Afghans who hold proof-of-residence cards.
