In an open letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Amnesty International has voiced serious concerns regarding the illegal detention, harassment, and deportation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The organization has called for an immediate cessation of these practices.
Amnesty International emphasized that Pakistani authorities must uphold the rights of individuals seeking international protection in accordance with international human rights law. The organization underscored the need for fundamental rights, particularly against arbitrary detention and deportation from refugee camps, to be respected.
The letter highlighted numerous reports of arbitrary detentions throughout Pakistan, often carried out without proper legal processes. Detainees frequently find themselves transferred to detention centers with limited access to legal representation and family contact.
Amnesty International criticized the Pakistani government’s plan to deport Afghan refugees, labeling it “illegal.” The organization noted that the deportation process is being expedited and that restrictions are placed on the amount of money and assets Afghan citizens can carry with them.
In recent months, Amnesty International has documented multiple instances of arbitrary detentions and deportations involving Afghan nationals in Pakistan.
