APRRN Urgent Appeal to the Government of Pakistan to Immediately Halt Forced Deportations of Afghan Refugees

Bangkok, 20 May 2025

The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) express our grave concern over the ongoing forced deportations of Afghan refugees by the Government of Pakistan under the so-called “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.” In April 2025 alone, some 144,000 Afghans returned from Pakistan, including nearly 30,000 who were deported[1].

APRRN unequivocally condemn these actions as a violation of international human rights and refugee law, particularly the core principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning individuals to a country where they would be at risk of serious human rights violations. Afghanistan remains a country plagued by persecution, and systemic human rights abuses.

“Afghan women, men, and children who are enjoying their fundamental human rights by seeking protection in Pakistan should under no circumstances, be forced to return against their will to Afghanistan, where their human rights, dignity and lives may be at risk”, said Klaus Dik Nielsen, Co-Secretary General, APRRN

The current situation in Afghanistan remains gravely unstable, marked by widespread and systematic human rights violations, especially targeting women and girls, ethnic and religious minorities, journalists, human rights defenders, and artists.

Despite the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, there is currently no national asylum system in Pakistan, nor mechanisms to register or protect newly arrived Afghan refugees. Although the 1993 Cooperation Agreement between the Government of Pakistan and UNHCR permits the UN agency to register asylum seekers, many arrivals post-2021 remain undocumented and without access to registration or legal protection. As national NGOs and UNHCR partners strive to provide basic protection, these efforts must be supported and expanded by the Pakistani government.

Pakistan’s treatment of Afghan nationals in detention, including arbitrary arrest and the denial of due process, stands in violation of several international treaties to which Pakistan is a party.

The opaque and coercive nature of the repatriation plan, coupled with racial profiling and the scapegoating of Afghan refugees, exacerbates their vulnerability and undermines Pakistan’s longstanding tradition of protection and hospitality towards refugees. We, therefore, call on the Government of Pakistan to immediately

1. Halt Mass Deportations: Suspend all forced deportations of Afghan nationals and withdraw any deadline for departures.
2. Observe the Principle of Non-Refoulement, and uphold Pakistan’s obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) (Articles 7, 9, 10, 14), CAT (Articles 3, 10), CRC (Articles 3, 9, 37), to which Pakistan is a signatory.
3. Guarantee Access to adequate Protection: Establish fair, effective and transparent procedures for Afghan nationals to seek asylum in accordance with international law and human rights standards.
4. End Arbitrary Detention: Cease all unlawful detention of Afghan nationals, irrespective of their status
5. Uphold Due Process: Guarantee legal representation and the right to challenge deportation or detention through fair judicial procedures.
6. Coordinate on Resettlement: Pakistan should coordinate with Western and U.S. governments to resolve pending resettlement cases, including those stalled under previous U.S. policy changes.

We also call on the international community to:

• Coordinate on International Support: The international community must collaborate more effectively with Pakistan through increased resettlement commitments, financial assistance, and technical cooperation.
• Undertake effective Regional Cooperation: Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, with UNHCR and civil society, should work towards regional solutions that prioritize refugee protection.

       To Afghan authorities, APRRN urges immediate action to:

• Establish documentation offices at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border to facilitate safe returns for those choosing to repatriate.
• Cease all human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and torture.
• Reverse restrictions on education and employment for women and girls.

We urge the Government of Pakistan to reaffirm its role as a defender of vulnerable populations and to work collaboratively with the international community to find sustainable solutions that respect the rights and dignity of all Afghan refugees, irrespective of their status.

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For further information or comment, please contact our membership and communication officer at MSCO@aprrn.org or call Klaus Dik Nielsen on +66 61 3011 020

The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) is a network of over 300 civil society organizations and individuals from 28 countries. We are committed to protecting and promoting the rights of refugees and other vulnerable groups on the move in the Asia Pacific.