Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar on Monday criticized neighboring countries for their recent decision to expel Afghan refugees and said this was not in keeping with Islam nor was it in the spirit of good neighborliness.

Speaking at an event to mark International Migrants Day, Baradar said the global refugee count has surpassed 100 million, of which many were being denied their basic rights.

On the decision to expel Afghans by neighboring countries, Baradar said these countries had failed to achieve their intended goals. He pointed to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’s (IEA) successful management of handling the returning refugees, and ensuring they had access to necessary facilities.

He also expressed his gratitude to all Afghans, national businessmen, charitable institutions, and international organizations for supporting the Islamic Emirate during this crisis.

He urged continued assistance to refugees in the future.

But he said the United Nations and the international community had a “two-faced attitude”.

He also raised the issue of Gaza and called on the UN and the international community to recognize and respect the rights of these refugees and address the crisis in Gaza.
Baradar also encouraged Afghan refugees abroad to return, highlighting the security and improved quality of life in their home country.

The event was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Administrative Affairs Maulawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, cabinet members, representatives from international organizations, foreign embassies in Kabul, and various other government officials.

Afghanistan’s acting Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund said in a message on the occasion that the world must stop oppression of migrants and that the Islamic Emirate is committed to solving the problems of refugees. He said the IEA considers it its national and religious duty to provide refugees with the best services and to give them their rights.

Maria Moita, the IOM Chief of Mission in Afghanistan, also spoke at the event and said: “We have helped the Afghans while they are being expelled from Pakistan after many years, but we have continued our services for three decades and we are working closely with the Ministry of Migration and since the beginning of this year, we have helped 1.5 million people.”

International Migrants Day comes as millions of Afghans are migrants in other countries, many of whom live in difficult conditions.