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IEA rejects UN report on returnees as ‘unprofessional and biased’
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Sunday strongly criticized a recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Office concerning Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan, describing it as “distorted, biased, and lacking scientific and professional rigor.”
The report, published on July 24, alleges that some Afghan returnees have experienced human rights violations including torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrest and detention, and threats to personal security at the hands of the IEA authorities.
However, the Foreign Ministry in a statement rejected these claims, stating they are based on limited individual testimonies without credible evidence, while ignoring the millions of Afghans who have returned safely, with dignity and stability.
Following instructions from the Prime Minister’s Office, a commission was formed—including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, Ministry of Interior, and the General Directorate of Intelligence—to thoroughly investigate the report. The commission concluded that the UN report disproportionately emphasized negative incidents, employed politically charged and misleading language, and overlooked positive developments.
UNAMA officials were summoned to the Foreign Ministry headquarters, where concerns were conveyed clearly and emphatically. The Ministry called on UNAMA to urgently review and improve its reporting practices. It warned that continued publication of such reports would compel the Islamic Emirate to take appropriate measures.
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghanistan, has questioned Pakistan’s commitment to the welfare of the Afghan people, citing Islamabad’s policies over the past three decades.
Khalilzad said in a post on X that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif advocated for the rights of Afghan women during his speech at the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Sharif said: “Fundamental rights of the Afghan people — especially women and girls — must be respected.”
Responding to the remarks, Khalilzad said Pakistan’s policies over the past 30 years raise questions about Sharif’s commitment to Afghan welfare.
He cited Pakistan’s support for militant groups against US forces and what he described as the poor treatment of Afghan refugees as examples.
Khalilzad also said Afghanistan and Pakistan need and should have much better relations, adding that “a reset is necessary.”
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Rabab Fatima, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that Misri underscored the need to keep addressing the humanitarian needs of the Afghan people as a priority.
Misri also appreciated the role of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and reaffirmed India’s continued cooperation with the United Nations on Afghanistan.
The meeting comes as Afghanistan continues to face humanitarian and economic challenges, with international agencies warning of significant needs among the Afghan population.
Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi has called for pragmatic and coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan, saying the country’s long-term stability is closely linked to the security and sustainable development of Central Asia.
Speaking during the general debate of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday, Tileuberdi said humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan remains essential but alone cannot break the cycle of poverty, displacement and dependency.
He said Kazakhstan supports a “pragmatic, coordinated and step-by-step” approach to international engagement with Afghanistan, with the United Nations playing a central role.
Tileuberdi also said Kazakhstan is working with the UN to operationalize the United Nations Regional Centre for the Sustainable Development Goals for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty.
He said the success of the centre should be measured by the results and assistance it delivers to the region.
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