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UN Slams Pakistan's Coercive Deportation of Afghan Refugees

The UN Committee against Torture has expressed grave concerns over Pakistan's coercive deportation of Afghan refugees, including children, without individual assessments. The committee noted harassment, intimidation, and police abuse as key tactics used to pressure refugees to return to Afghanistan. It also highlighted torture and retaliation against human rights defenders, journalists, and political opponents in Pakistan. The committee called for the review of the repatriation plan and investigations into abuses, including the detention of former PM Imran Khan.

Key Points: UN Expresses Concerns Over Pakistan's Afghan Refugee Deportation

  • Pakistan's deportation plan lacks individual protection assessments
  • Coercive measures include harassment, police abuse, and arbitrary detention
  • UN urges review of repatriation plan and probe into police abuse
  • Concerns raised over torture of human rights defenders and political opponents
2 min read

UN committee expresses concerns over coercive action by Pakistan against Afghan refugees

UN committee condemns Pakistan's mass deportation of Afghan refugees, citing torture risks and lack of individual assessments.

"These coercive measures reportedly include harassment and intimidation, threats of deportation, police abuse, extortion, raids and arbitrary detention. - UN Committee against Torture"

Geneva, May 2

The United Nations Committee against Torture expressed grave concerns over Pakistan's mass deportation of Afghan refugees, including children, following the adoption of the 2023 Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan, citing the absence of individual assessment of protection needs and risks of refoulement.

In its recent findings on Pakistan's implementation of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Committee raised alarm over the coercive measures adopted by the authorities against Afghan nationals, including registered refugees, to pressure them to return to Afghanistan, despite the risk of persecution, torture or ill-treatment.

"These coercive measures reportedly include harassment and intimidation, threats of deportation, police abuse, extortion, raids and arbitrary detention," it noted.

The Committee urged Pakistani authorities to consider repealing or reviewing the Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan, warning of the serious risks it poses to non-citizens, particularly Afghan nationals.

It also called for a thorough investigation into allegations of police abuse against Afghan refugees, with those responsible to be disciplined or criminally prosecuted.

The Committee also highlighted reports of "torture and ill-treatment" and "other forms of retaliation" against human rights defenders, civil society activists, journalists, lawyers, political opponents, protesters and other critics of the government across Pakistan.

"These acts include intimidation, threats, harassment, excessive use of force, arbitrary arrest and detention, prosecution on politically motivated charges, including before military courts, enforced disappearance and extrajudicial execution," it added.

The Committee further called on the Pakistani authorities "to take the necessary measures to ensure that these people are adequately protected from torture and ill-treatment and other forms of reprisals and that all human rights violations are thoroughly investigated, those responsible are brought to justice and victims are provided with effective remedies."

Expressing concerns over the situation of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, as well as other activists, including Idris Khattak, Ali Wazir and Mahrang Baloch, the Committee noted that their "arbitrary detentions" were confirmed by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, especially with regard to their lack of access to medical care.

It is recommended that Pakistan, as a state party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, must review the situation of all individuals allegedly detained and imprisoned on political grounds or in retaliation for their work, while ensuring their access to adequate medical care during detention.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The UN report paints a very grim picture. Harassment, extortion, arbitrary detention - this is systematic abuse. Pakistan has a duty under international law to protect vulnerable people. Deporting refugees to a country under Taliban rule is irresponsible and dangerous.
V
Vikram M
While the UN committee makes valid points, I think Pakistan's internal security concerns shouldn't be ignored. Hundreds of thousands of undocumented migrants can strain resources. But yes, the methods - harassment, police abuse - that's unacceptable. There has to be a middle path with dignity.
P
Priya S
The mention of Imran Khan's arbitrary detention is interesting. Pakistan's political prisoners and refugee abuse are two sides of the same coin - a state that doesn't respect law. India has its own issues with human rights, but at least we don't forcibly deport children! 🇮🇳
R
Riya H
This is heartbreaking. The refugees are mostly women and children who fled war. Pakistan should learn from India - we have given citizenship to minorities from neighbouring countries. Forcing them back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan is a death sentence. Shame on Pakistan! 😡

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