Amnesty International: Forced Deportations of Afghan Refugees Must Stop

Amnesty International has called on countries to immediately halt the forced deportation of Afghan refugees, warning that returns to Afghanistan under Taliban rule place individuals at serious risk of human rights violations.

In a statement, the organization said that millions of Afghans have been unlawfully deported in recent years, despite the deteriorating human rights situation in Afghanistan. Amnesty International stressed that returning people to a country where they face persecution, violence, or severe discrimination violates international law, including the principle of non-refoulement.

The rights group highlighted that women, girls, journalists, former government employees, and human rights defenders are particularly at risk under Taliban rule. It warned that forced returns are taking place amid a deep humanitarian crisis, widespread poverty, and systematic repression of basic freedoms.

Amnesty International urged governments to stop all forced returns to Afghanistan, expand access to asylum and legal protection pathways, and ensure that Afghan refugees are treated in line with international human rights and refugee law.

The organization also called on the international community to increase responsibility-sharing and provide greater support to countries hosting Afghan refugees, instead of resorting to deportations that place lives in danger.