Senators Call for Push to End Afghanistan Refugee Situation in Iran, Pakistan

A number of Afghan senators have called the situation of Afghan refugees critical in Iran and Pakistan and emphasized on providing facilities for their return to the country by the government.

They voiced concerns over the bad situation of Afghan refugees both in Iran and Pakistan; citing the government should take practical solutions regarding the issue.

“Afghan refugees have repeatedly returned to country but when their problems not addressed they have been forces for re-immigration,” said Senator Muhammad Alam Izadyar.

“The return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan and Iran is in our interest; what they spend in Pakistan will spend in Afghanistan,” said senator Nesar Haris.

Minister of Refugees and Repatriation and Deputy Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs have summoned to the Senate House due to the increase of Afghan refugees’ recent challenges in Pakistan and Iran.

Minister of Refugees and Repatriation says that Afghan refugees are always under two policies of two country and this led them to face many challenges, particularly forced evictions.

Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan constitute the largest and most protracted refugee population under UNHCR’s mandate.

The majority of Afghan refugees have been resident in both countries since fleeing the Soviet War in Afghanistan during the 1980s.

Despite the success of voluntary repatriation programmes both in Pakistan and Iran, many Afghan refugees have specific needs, vulnerabilities and protection concerns that prevent their return.

In addition, the volatile security situation and human rights violations in Afghanistan remain an ongoing concern.

In May 2012, the governments of Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan and UNHCR adopted the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR).

The SSAR outlines the need for increased voluntary repatriation, but also for enhanced resettlement as a means of international responsibility sharing, assistance to refugee affected and hosting areas (RAH) and alternative stay arrangements for refugees in Pakistan.

Resettlement is considered to be a strategic component of the SSAR and a vital tool for maintaining adequate protection space.