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UN Special Rapporteurs urge Pakistan to stop planned mass deportation of Afghans
Pakistan should immediately cancel plans to deport 1.4 million Afghan nationals back to their country, UN experts said on Tuesday.
The government of Pakistan, which has hosted millions of Afghans for decades, recently announced that all “undocumented” foreign nationals must leave the country by 1 November or face deportation to their countries of origin.
The UN said these plans would impact in particular over 1.4 million Afghan nationals, including many who fled to Pakistan seeking safety and protection due to serious human rights concerns and a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
“We urge Pakistan to uphold the absolute and non-derogable principle of non-refoulement and prevent collective expulsion and forced return,” the experts said.
“The lack of domestic asylum laws and procedures does not absolve States of their obligations to uphold the principle of non-refoulement under international human rights and customary law,” they said. The prohibition of refoulement is explicitly included in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Pakistan is a State party.
A group of UN experts urged Pakistan to halt deportations of Afghan nationals following the Islamic Emirate takeover, until the circumstances and human rights situation in Afghanistan allow for safe and dignified returns in a letter dated 23 December 2021.
“Pakistan should stop all forced returns and continue to host Afghan nationals who fled for safety,” the experts said. “The government must also ensure their full access to procedures where their individual human rights protection needs and their need for effective protection in line with international human rights and refugee standards, are fully assessed,” they said.
“We are also concerned by reports that Afghans living in Pakistan have been subjected to arrests, exploitation and undignified treatment, including since Pakistan announced its repatriation plans.”
“Priority should be given to those with heightened protection needs; Afghan women, girls, the elderly, as well as former Afghan government officials and security personnel, human rights defenders, other civil society activists and media workers who may have a well-founded fear of persecution based on gender, religious, or ethnic grounds deserve particular attention,” they said.
“We appreciate Pakistan’s hosting of Afghan nationals over many years, noting that they also make a positive contribution to Pakistan, and request the international community and Member States to continue to facilitate the safe resettlement of Afghans at risk in other countries, and ensure their protection.”
The experts urged Pakistan to continue its collaboration with relevant UN entities to ensure protection for those seeking safety in the country.
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Turkey detains 35 Afghan migrants attempting to reach Greece
Turkish police have detained 35 Afghan migrants attempting to cross into Greece by sea in the northwestern province of Balikesir, while four suspects accused of migrant smuggling were also apprehended.
Police seized 12 life jackets, lifebuoys and three pumps during the operation.
Following police procedures, three of the four suspects were remanded in custody by a court, while the fourth was released under judicial supervision.
The 35 Afghan migrants were transferred to an Irregular Migrant Pre-Reception and Referral Center.
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UK envoy to visit Pakistan to facilitate dialogue on issues with Afghanistan
Mullah Abdul Wasi, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), held a video conference with Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, to discuss regional developments and efforts to resolve issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
According to a statement released by the PM’s office, James Belmonti, a Political Affairs Officer at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Faiz Mohammad Wafamel, a political adviser, also participated in the meeting.
During the conference, Abdul Wasi thanked the United Kingdom for its humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and for its efforts, alongside other friendly countries, to help overcome the current issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He said the Islamic Emirate seeks positive engagement with neighbouring countries, regional states and the international community based on Afghanistan’s national interests and mutual respect, adding that the IEA supports peace and stability in the region.
For his part, Lindsay said the UK was closely monitoring the regional situation and had held meetings and consultations with both sides regarding the issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
He added that he would travel to Pakistan in the near future to hold discussions with Pakistani officials on the related issues and facilitate dialogue and better understanding between the sides.
Abdul Wasi said the Islamic Emirate attaches great importance to resolving disputes peacefully with neighbouring countries, regional states and the international community, in line with its foreign policy focused on economic engagement.
He also described Afghans as a peace-loving nation with considerable skills and experience in resolving disputes through negotiations.
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IOM records more than 95,000 border movements into Afghanistan in two weeks
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) recorded 95,489 movements into Afghanistan between October 25 and November 7, 2026, according to its latest Flow Monitoring Update.
The report shows that 64,732 of the recorded movements were from Iran, accounting for 68 percent of the total, while 30,757 were from Pakistan, representing 32 percent.
During the same period, IOM recorded 44,899 movements out of Afghanistan, including 34,206 towards Iran and 10,693 towards Pakistan.
Islam Qala was the busiest monitored crossing point for arrivals, accounting for 40.5 percent of recorded inflows, followed by Pul-e-Abrisham (Milak) at 25.7 percent and Spin Boldak at 17.6 percent.
The report also shows that 84 percent of those recorded entering Afghanistan were over the age of five, while two percent were under five.
IOM noted that its figures represent movements recorded at monitored border crossings, not necessarily unique individuals. The data may include returnees, deportees and people making repeated or temporary cross-border trips.
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