Amnesty International has called on the Pakistani government to halt the arbitrary detention and harassment of Afghan refugees, highlighting ongoing violations of their rights.
Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director of Amnesty International, stated on Wednesday, January 8, that Pakistan has repeatedly implemented policies that have worsened the plight of Afghan refugees, forcing many to return to Afghanistan.
He noted, “The nightly police raids, harassment, and arbitrary detention of hundreds of Afghan refugees, including women and children, in the capital are part of a broader discriminatory policy against Afghans in the country.”
The organization further criticized Pakistan for detaining even those with legal documentation, exacerbating harassment and mistreatment. Amnesty International urged Pakistan to honor its international commitments, including the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits forcibly returning refugees to places where their lives or freedom may be at risk.