He expressed a particular concern to the distress of women and girls returned to Afghanistan, who has been under domination of the Taliban for four years.
On July 31, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be expelled as part of a “repatriation plan for illegal foreigners”.
Hcr has received arrest and detention reports from Afghans across the country, including POR card holders.
Violation of the non -returned principle
“We recognize and appreciate the generosity of Pakistan in the reception of refugees for more than 40 years in the midst of his own challenges,” said Baloch.
“However, given that those who have POR cards have been recognized as refugees for decades, Their forced return is contrary to the long -standing humanitarian approach in Pakistan to this group and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement. »»
The situation takes place in the middle of a mass return of Afghans from neighboring countries, including Iran.
This year, more than 2.1 million has already returned or have been forced to return to Afghanistan, including 352,000 from Pakistan.
Listen to our interview with Arafat Jamal, representative of UNHCR in Afghanistan, on returnees from Iran.
Concern for women and girls
“” The UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at riskAs well as other groups that could be threatened, “said Baloch.
He urged the authorities to ensure that the feedback is voluntary, safe and worthy.
In addition, the UNHCR continued to seek an extension of the validity of the POR cards, which expired at the end of June, and praised the “grace period” of an additional month granted by Pakistan.
“” The UNHCR strongly urges the government of Pakistan to apply measures to exempt Afghans with continuous international protection needs Involuntary return, “he said.
“We also call on the established good will of Pakistan to allow the legal stay to Afghans with medical needs, those who are currently pursuing higher education or in mixed weddings.”
Large -scale impact
He declared that the large -scale return of Afghans from neighboring countries has exerted immense pressure on basic services, housing and means of subsistence, as well as the host communities.
General policy aggravates an already disastrous humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. According to the UN coordination office Ochha,, Almost half of the population – Nearly 23 million people – will require humanitarian aid this year to survive.
Mr. Baloch warned that “mass and cutting -edge yields considerably strengthen protection needs and risk instability in Afghanistan and the region, including appeal movements”.
Publicado anteriormente en Almouwatin.
