Islamic Emirate responds to UN report, reaffirms amnesty for all Afghan returnees

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has dismissed recent allegations made in a United Nations report regarding human rights abuses against returning Afghan refugees, insisting that all returnees benefit from the country’s general amnesty decree.

Responding on Thursday via X, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the IEA, said: “No one treats them [the returnees] with political hostility, opposition, or revenge. And if such actions occur, the government will investigate and prevent them, and the perpetrators will be punished.”

He acknowledged the possibility of isolated incidents but rejected any systemic wrongdoing: “Of course, if one or two incidents have occurred in certain areas, they are not political but rather personal and very minor. It is inappropriate for UNAMA to exploit such cases and spread propaganda that increases public concern.”

He went on to reassure Afghan refugees abroad that they can return home without fear: “The system assures the people that there is no reason to worry about this matter, and they should return to their country with full confidence.”

Fitrat’s remarks follow the release of a joint report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which states: “These violations include torture and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrest and detention, and threats to personal security by the de facto authorities.”

The report asserts that forcibly returned individuals with “specific profiles” — such as former military, government, or media personnel — have faced serious rights violations since reentering Afghanistan.

While the IEA has maintained that its general amnesty applies to all former members of the previous government and security forces, international organizations have continued to express concerns over documented cases of retaliation and abuse, particularly in remote provinces.

UN officials have urged the authorities to ensure full implementation of the amnesty and to take meaningful steps to investigate any credible reports of mistreatment.