ISLAMABAD, (Parliament Times) : During the week of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR)’s Executive Committee in Geneva, the agency has expressed concern over the government’s decision to de-notify some Refugee Villages and forcibly return Afghans, including refugees, to Afghanistan.
The Federal Government recently de-notified sixteen refugee villages in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. In August, the government asked Afghan refugees to leave the country as part of its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP).
As many of the refugees have lived in these villages for decades and established livelihoods, forcing them to return within a short period has a serious and negative impact on their lives and livelihoods, as well as their reintegration in Afghanistan.
“Return of refugees should be organized, phased, voluntary, in dignity and safety, with respect for rights and protection of those in need,” said UNHCR’s Representative, Philippa Candler. She added that Pakistan has been a generous host to Afghans for over45 years, providing protection to millions of people. “There are still many people in Pakistan who would be at risk of persecution should they be obliged to return to Afghanistan. These individuals need to be exempted from the IFRP,” she said.
The UN Refugee Agency is also concerned about women and girls being forced to return to a country where their rights to work and education are at risk.
UNHCR urges the Government of Pakistan to apply measures for organized and phased returns and to exempt Afghans with continued international protection needs from involuntary return. “We also appeal to Pakistan to allow legal stay for Afghans with medical needs, those currently pursuing higher education, and those in mixed marriages,” Ms. Candler added.
The UN refugee agency reaffirmed its commitment to work closely with the Government of Pakistan to identify solutions that respect Pakistan’s concerns while upholding international principles.