Preeti Dalal In Afghanistan, the Taliban has spoken out against the deportation of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, urging nations not to use Afghan immigrants for political purposes. The Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, criticized certain nations for the deportation and called for a lawful and fair approach.
International Migrants Day Highlights Concerns
On International Migrants Day, the Taliban officials expressed their concerns about the deportation of thousands of Afghan migrants to Pakistan, Iran, and other countries in recent months. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar emphasized the illegality of expelling Muslim brothers and urged nations to avoid unfair practices.
Pakistan’s Nationwide Deportation Campaign
In November, Pakistan’s caretaker government initiated a campaign to deport illegal foreign nationals, primarily Afghans. The move faced criticism from Afghanistan and other nations. Out of over four million Afghans in Pakistan, 1.7 million lack proper documentation. Thousands have returned to Afghanistan through specific border crossings.
Taliban Acknowledges Mass Return of Afghan Citizens
Taliban’s Second Deputy Prime Minister, Abdul Salam Hanafi, acknowledged the mass return of Afghan citizens, stating that over 700,000 have returned to Afghanistan from different countries in a short period and under forceful circumstances.
Reasons Behind Unlawful Migrations
On International Migrants Day, Khalil Rahman Haqqani, the acting Minister of Refugees and Repatriation, highlighted the reasons behind unlawful migrations. He discussed the hardships faced by Afghans worldwide, emphasizing the destruction of their property, children, culture, and customs.
Global Concerns and UN’s Call for Suspension
The United Nations expressed concern about the well-being of Afghan citizens arriving in Afghanistan due to deportations. They called for the suspension of expulsions during the winter season, stressing the need for fair treatment. The UN urged Pakistan to halt the expulsion of over one million Afghan refugees.
Iran’s Expulsion and Prohibitions
Iran’s Interior Minister announced the expulsion of 400,000 Afghan migrants from the country. Additionally, certain provinces in Iran prohibited Afghan citizens from entering, as declared by the Director-General of Foreign Nationals and Immigrant Affairs in Kermanshah province.
Afghan Citizens in Iran
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Afghan citizens make up six percent of the resident population in Iran. The situation remains a cause for global concern, with calls for fair and humane treatment of Afghan refugees.
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