Thousands of Afghan refugees, like activists Amina and Ramil pictured here, have reason to fear for their lives. As it stands, Pakistan plans to deport all Afghan Citizen Card holders and other undocumented people by March 31. Amina, a tireless advocate for Afghan women’s rights, is terrified to go back to an Afghanistan governed by the Taliban. At the same time, Ramil has recently had to experience the heartbreak of having his humanitarian visa denied by Canada. The Taliban’s stringent laws have severely restricted women’s rights, banning their education beyond grade six, prohibiting university education and work for women, and enforcing measures that prevent women from showing their faces in public. The United Nations has documented over 800 cases of extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses by the Taliban, raising concerns about the safety of returnees.
Ramil is urgently looking for any legal route to safety as the September deadline looms. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Islamabad has raised the alarm. They urge that most, if not all, undocumented Afghans require international protection and should not be deported back to Afghanistan. In the face of such cautionary tales, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry continues to claim that nobody will be abused or mistreated when they are compelled to repatriate. As activists like Ramil know, return home can mean facing violent state persecution.
“Activists like me face severe persecution, violence and even death threats.” – Ramil
The Plight of Afghan Women Under Taliban Rule
The reestablishment of the Taliban’s regime has changed the landscape entirely, resulting in a drastic deterioration of Afghan women’s lives. Since taking power, the Taliban has enforced policies and passed laws that strictly limit women’s rights and freedoms. They have blocked girls from going to school past the sixth grade and barred women from studying in universities. As a result, the few available employment options for women have been revoked, stripping women of their ability to independently support themselves or their families.
Amina has been a fierce champion for Afghan women’s rights. Today, she is just as in despair about where things are today. She has shaped her life around the protection of girls from violence and forced marriages, inspiring the world with her peaceful protests against Taliban brutality.
“I led peaceful protests against violence, forced marriages, and the Taliban killing civilians,” – Amina
The Taliban’s oppressive measures have forced many women into hiding, fearing for their lives if they defy the regime’s orders. As activists such as Amina have experienced, Taliban forces have subjected female activists to harassment, beatings, and acts of detention.
“Our co-workers were beaten, harassed, and detained numerous times,” – Amina
Pakistan’s Deportation Plans and International Concerns
Pakistan announced earlier this month that holders of the Afghan Citizen Card as well as undocumented refugees must be expelled by March 31. This decision is included in its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme. The Pakistani government insists it will protect returnees from abuse during repatriation.
“Pakistan has been a gracious host and continues to fulfil its commitments and obligations as a responsible state,” – Pakistan’s Interior Ministry
Yet the UNHCR has issued strong warnings regarding the safety of those returned to Afghanistan. These brave people are living in increasingly desperate situations since the Taliban’s takeover and are quickly running out of international protection.
“We are concerned that the needs of communities will increase, potentially leading to tensions and competition over resources, while trapping them into a vicious cycle of recurrent humanitarian needs and short-term assistance,” – Ms Al Sharif
Humanitarian advocates are putting out warnings that Afghans who return may end up living in places saturated with unexploded ordnance. In addition, their safety is greatly endangered by this contamination.
“Many returnees may return to areas contaminated by unexploded ordnance without knowing it,” – Dania Al Sharif
International Response and Support for Afghan Women
In response to the escalating crisis, Australia has pledged an additional $5 million to support UN-backed health services for Afghan women and girls. This additional funding will be on top of the annual $50 million Australia has pledged to Afghanistan for financial year 2025-26. Australia’s Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Pat Conroy, has condemned the Taliban’s repression and reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting Afghan women.
Ramil is now urgently looking for asylum in safe countries. She is in desperate need of protection from the attacks she endures daily while in Afghanistan. Even as she’s done so much to stand up for fundamental rights and shine a light on the human rights under the Taliban, she’s still in danger.
“I constantly try to promote basic rights, I have devoted my life to improving human rights and to influence the Taliban to allow women to work, allow them to study and ease restrictions.” – Ramil
The international community continues to be deeply split on how to best approach the crisis in Afghanistan. Others contend that it is more important to speak to the underlying causes like terrorism and over-militarization.
“Terrorism here has deeper roots — jihadi proxies, pro-Taliban policies, and over-militarisation. Blaming refugees is barking up the wrong tree,” – Mr Basit
