Latest news with #AfghanRefugees
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
The Taliban criticize neighboring countries for their mass expulsion of Afghans
The Taliban on Wednesday criticized neighboring countries for the mass expulsion of Afghans, as Iran and Pakistan expel foreigners who they say are living there illegally. The two countries set deadlines and threatened them with arrest or deportation if they did not comply. They deny targeting Afghans, who make up significant numbers in both countries. Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Taliban government's deputy minister for refugees and repatriation, rebuked host countries for the mass expulsions and described the removal of Afghans as a 'serious violation of international norms, humanitarian principles, and Islamic values.' 'The scale and manner in which Afghan refugees have been forced to return to their homeland is something Afghanistan has never before experienced in its history," Rashid told a press conference in Kabul. Nearly 1.8 million Afghans were forcibly returned from Iran in the past three months alone. A further 184,459 were sent back from Pakistan and over 5,000 were deported from Turkey since the beginning of the year. Additionally, nearly 10,000 Afghan prisoners have been repatriated, mostly from Pakistan. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said some 6 million Afghan refugees remain overseas. Natural disasters have swelled Afghanistan's refugee population. The ministry's director for policy and planning, Mahmood al Haq Ahadi, said some 13,500 families were internally displaced due to droughts, floods, and storms. 'When combined with prior displacements, the total number of internally displaced families in Afghanistan has now reached nearly 2.5 million," Ahadi said. The ministry planned to send delegations to hold meetings with host countries focusing on legal support and resolving the challenges faced by Afghan asylum seekers. 'Our goal is to find sustainable solutions through dialogue and cooperation,' Ahadi said. Humanitarian agencies have warned that the scale and pace of returning Afghans is overwhelming already fragile support systems.
Associated Press
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
The Taliban criticize neighboring countries for their mass expulsion of Afghans
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban on Wednesday criticized neighboring countries for the mass expulsion of Afghans, as Iran and Pakistan expel foreigners who they say are living there illegally. The two countries set deadlines and threatened them with arrest or deportation if they did not comply. They deny targeting Afghans, who make up significant numbers in both countries. Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Taliban government's deputy minister for refugees and repatriation, rebuked host countries for the mass expulsions and described the removal of Afghans as a 'serious violation of international norms, humanitarian principles, and Islamic values.' 'The scale and manner in which Afghan refugees have been forced to return to their homeland is something Afghanistan has never before experienced in its history,' Rashid told a press conference in Kabul. Nearly 1.8 million Afghans were forcibly returned from Iran in the past three months alone. A further 184,459 were sent back from Pakistan and over 5,000 were deported from Turkey since the beginning of the year. Additionally, nearly 10,000 Afghan prisoners have been repatriated, mostly from Pakistan. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said some 6 million Afghan refugees remain overseas. Natural disasters have swelled Afghanistan's refugee population. The ministry's director for policy and planning, Mahmood al Haq Ahadi, said some 13,500 families were internally displaced due to droughts, floods, and storms. 'When combined with prior displacements, the total number of internally displaced families in Afghanistan has now reached nearly 2.5 million,' Ahadi said. The ministry planned to send delegations to hold meetings with host countries focusing on legal support and resolving the challenges faced by Afghan asylum seekers. 'Our goal is to find sustainable solutions through dialogue and cooperation,' Ahadi said. Humanitarian agencies have warned that the scale and pace of returning Afghans is overwhelming already fragile support systems.
Arab News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
The Taliban criticize neighboring countries for their mass expulsion of Afghans
ISLAMABAD: The Taliban on Wednesday criticized neighboring countries for the mass expulsion of Afghans, as Iran and Pakistan expel foreigners who they say are living there illegally. The two countries set deadlines and threatened them with arrest or deportation if they did not comply. They deny targeting Afghans, who make up significant numbers in both countries. Abdul Rahman Rashid, the Taliban government's deputy minister for refugees and repatriation, rebuked host countries for the mass expulsions and described the removal of Afghans as a 'serious violation of international norms, humanitarian principles, and Islamic values.' 'The scale and manner in which Afghan refugees have been forced to return to their homeland is something Afghanistan has never before experienced in its history,' Rashid told a press conference in Kabul. Nearly 1.8 million Afghans were forcibly returned from Iran in the past three months alone. A further 184,459 were sent back from Pakistan and over 5,000 were deported from Turkiye since the beginning of the year. Additionally, nearly 10,000 Afghan prisoners have been repatriated, mostly from Pakistan. The Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said some 6 million Afghan refugees remain overseas. Natural disasters have swelled Afghanistan's refugee population. The ministry's director for policy and planning, Mahmood al Haq Ahadi, said some 13,500 families were internally displaced due to droughts, floods, and storms. 'When combined with prior displacements, the total number of internally displaced families in Afghanistan has now reached nearly 2.5 million,' Ahadi said. The ministry planned to send delegations to hold meetings with host countries focusing on legal support and resolving the challenges faced by Afghan asylum seekers. 'Our goal is to find sustainable solutions through dialogue and cooperation,' Ahadi said. Humanitarian agencies have warned that the scale and pace of returning Afghans is overwhelming already fragile support systems.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Times
Iran forcing out Afghans en masse after Israel spying claims
After the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan in 2021, Nawida fled with her family to neighboring Iran. The lawyer had helped send members of the Islamist group to jail, and feared being arrested — or killed — for her work. More than three years later, she is again in hiding — this time in a Tehran suburb with her siblings and eight-year-old son. Iran has embarked on a massive deportation drive of the country's 3 million-plus population of Afghan refugees, some of whom authorities say aided Israel's airstrikes on the country last month. "I don't know for how long we can keep ourselves like prisoners and I don't know what lies ahead for us,' said Nawida, who no longer has a valid visa and didn't want to give her full name to avoid being identified. "We're calling out loud on the international community to reach out and help us.'
The National
6 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE has hosted more than 17,600 Afghan evacuees since 2021
Almost four years since the Taliban took power following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, UAE authorities have provided details of how many Afghans it has hosted. The UAE has spent almost Dh1.35 billion ($367.6 million) hosting Afghan refugees before relocating them to other countries since 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. There have been 17,619 Afghans hosted in Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi since there were widespread evacuations after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, two decades after they were toppled by the US and Nato. The assistance covered all the needs of Afghan citizens − including health care, logistical and diplomatic services, communications, shelter and food − ensuring comfort, a dignified life and well-being, said a statement from the ministry released on Thursday. EHC also provided services related to departure procedures, with 17 offices opened for the embassies of the countries to where Afghans were seeking relocation. School transport was also provided, along with on-site education and training courses. Almost 2,600 Afghans benefitted from training and professional development workshops, the ministry added. 'The UAE has spared no effort in assisting the Afghan people, being at the forefront of countries that have initiated support for Afghanistan,' said the ministry. 'This reflects its humanitarian mission, which is based on the values of giving, charitable work, spreading peace and consolidating coexistence, tolerance, and the principles of human fraternity. 'It also promotes solidarity with peoples during the most difficult circumstances and crises facing countries. 'The focus on caring for people and preserving their dignity has been a constant approach in the UAE's journey since its founding, regardless of ethnic, religious, or geographical backgrounds and in line with its noble humanitarian principles. It has become a global symbol of humanitarian giving and sustainable good.' A US news outlet reported earlier this month that the UAE was preparing to send a small number of evacuees back to Afghanistan in July.
