Amnesty International has called on the Pakistani government to reverse its decision to deport Afghan refugees from the country. The government had given all “illegal migrants” until November 1st to leave the country, in a move that appears to target Afghan refugees in particular.
Amnesty International’s statement came a day before the deadline. Ahead of the final day of the ultimatum, videos of Afghan children bidding farewell to their classmates in schools in Pakistan went viral on social media.
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Human rights activists have denounced the government’s step, saying that Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for years and that many who were born in Pakistan have not known another home.
In its statement, Amnesty International said, “Amnesty International strongly reiterates its call to the Government of Pakistan to immediately reverse its decision to forcibly deport unregistered Afghan refugees ahead of the deadline set for tomorrow. Pakistan must meet its international legal obligations, including the principle of non-refoulement, and stop the crackdown against, and harassment of, Afghan refugees across the country.”
The statement added that Afghan refugees’ lives and rights are at stake due to the collective failure of the Pakistan government and the international community to share the responsibility for their protection.
