8am: With the continuation of military clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban, thousands of refugees from Afghanistan in that country have found themselves in a difficult situation. These refugees say that although they were forced to leave their country due to threats from the Taliban, in Pakistan, too,o they are paying the price for the
Khaama: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says Afghan refugee families living in Iran have been affected by recent attacks linked to the United States and Israel, leaving many already vulnerable households in a more difficult situation. The agency also reported that between 600,000 and one million Iranians have been displaced due to the
8am: Several asylum seekers from Afghanistan in Poland have expressed concern over the harsh and inhumane conditions in the country’s immigration detention centers, stating that they face prolonged and arbitrary detention, violations of their human and health rights, denial of interpreter access, and open discrimination. They add that access to medical care, legal support, and
Khaama: The Government of the United Kingdom said it has suspended the issuance of student visas for citizens of Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan, as well as work visas for Afghan nationals. Shabana Mahmood said in a statement on Tuesday, March 3, that Britain will continue to offer refuge to those fleeing war and persecution,
The Guardian (UK): For the millions of Afghans living in Pakistan – many of them journalists, activists or former government officials who fled Taliban rule – the rising tension is translating into fear at their doorsteps. Richard Bennett, UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, says returning to their country will put them at
Ariana: Local officials in Afghanistan’s Kunar province have reported that an airstrike conducted by Pakistani forces in Khas Kunar district resulted in the death of three children. The attack, which struck a return refugee camp in the Hajratabad area, also left another two children injured. Click here to read more (external link). More Pakistan, Afghanistan
FT: Over the past year, Iran and Pakistan have sent an estimated 3mn Afghans back after decades and sometimes lifetimes in exile, according to the UN, 150,000 alone in the past six weeks. Afghanistan’s population is up 12 per cent from 40mn in 2023, when Islamabad and Tehran began mass deportations. More are to come.
Khaama: Over the past week, 20 Afghan citizens were detained in Islamabad following eight police inspection operations, according to The Nation on Monday, Febraury 23. Officials confirmed that additional measures targeting Afghan migrants are planned as part of a broader crackdown. In recent weeks, Pakistan has significantly increased arrests and deportations of Afghan nationals. Authorities
Ariana: According to UNHCR’s representative in Afghanistan, Arafat Jamal, 5.4 million Afghans have returned since October 2023, the vast majority from Pakistan and Iran. Speaking to reporters in Geneva via video link from Kabul, he said the pace of returns is overwhelming. “This is massive, and the speed and scale of these returns has pushed
Ariana: The U.S. State Department has begun paying Afghans to repatriate as it attempts to close a camp in Qatar where they have been stranded for years, Reuters quoted the top State Department official for South and Central Asia told lawmakers on Wednesday. Advocates say the group includes civilian refugees, women who served as special