The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has expressed concern over the decision of the Pakistani government to deport registered Afghan refugees or temporary residence permit holders.

 

In a statement issued today (Wednesday, 15 August), the international body stressed that the forced return of these migrants, who have been recognized as refugees in Pakistan for decades, is against the principle of humanity and violates the principle of "non-forced return" of refugees.

 

"We call on Pakistani authorities to ensure that any return of Afghans to their country is voluntary, safe and dignified," the UNHCR said.

 

The agency also welcomed the extension of the validity of temporary residence cards and called the "one-month deadline" for checking the status of migrants a positive step.

 

The statement said the Pakistani government should refrain from forcibly returning people in need of international protection and provide residence for Afghans with special conditions such as health needs, students or people married to Pakistani citizens.

 

However, the Pakistani government has announced that refugees with registered cards will also be returned to Afghanistan under the "Illegal Migrants Return Scheme".

 

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also received reports of detention of Afghan migrants, including legal card holders, in recent days, calling it worrying.

 

The agency warned that the mass and hasty return of migrants would not only exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, but also increase the risk of instability in the region.

 

According to the UN, more than 2.1 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan from neighboring countries since the beginning of this year.