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UN experts urge Pakistan to protect Afghan refugees (Img: UNHRC)
United Nations experts have warned Islamabad against forcibly deporting Afghan refugees, urging authorities to urgently identify people at risk of persecution, torture and other serious human rights violations before deciding on their removal.
The experts have called for a transparent mechanism that would allow vulnerable Afghans to seek protection and undergo individual assessments before any deportation decision is taken.
“We are gravely concerned over Pakistan’s forced return of Afghans. The immediate priority is the establishment of a transparent and accessible procedure through which Afghans at risk can come forward, be individually assessed, and obtain protection from removal while that assessment is carried out," the experts said.
"Without such procedures, vulnerable individuals may remain in hiding, unable to seek protection for fear of arrest, detention or removal," they added.
The experts also raised concerns over a directive requiring medical and dental institutions in Pakistan to remove Afghan students. At least 100 Afghan students are reportedly affected, including between 20 and 40 women.
“For female Afghan students in particular, this move would end their hopes of qualifying as doctors and dentists, because of the Taliban’s ban on higher education and medical training for women,” the experts said.
The experts urged Pakistan to halt the removal of Afghan nationals, particularly women and unaccompanied children. They cited the principle of non-refoulement, under which individuals should not be returned to places where they face a real risk of persecution, torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, arbitrary deprivation of life, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention or other serious and irreparable harm.
They also expressed concern over the implementation of a June 28, 2026 directive from Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior. The order instructed provincial authorities to detain and deport Afghan nationals without valid documentation after July 10.
According to information cited by the experts, around 127,344 Afghans crossed back into Afghanistan between July 10 and August 27 this year. Of these, at least 14,186 were reportedly forcibly removed. Around 38,388 of those who crossed the border were women and children.
The experts particularly highlighted the return of unaccompanied Afghan children, warning that they were being sent to a country where adequate child-sensitive reception, assistance and protection mechanisms are absent.
They called on Pakistan to provide greater clarity on the criteria and procedures used to identify vulnerable Afghan refugees.
“Such mechanisms should allow Afghan nationals who may face persecution, torture or other irreparable harm to come forward without fear of detention or removal, receive an individual assessment and, where appropriate, obtain temporary protection and access to a secure residence status,” they noted.
