Latest news with #UNHCR-issued
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Over 200,000 Afghans forced to leave Pakistan amid intensified deportation drive; Iran ramps up expulsions too
Representative image (Picture credit: ANI) More than 200,000 Afghans have left Pakistan since April as Islamabad ramped up its deportation campaign targeting undocumented migrants, with Iran also increasing expulsions, raising concerns over Afghanistan's capacity to manage the influx. According to Pakistan's ministry of interior, over 135,000 Afghans left the country in April, followed by 67,000 in May, and more than 3,000 in just the first two days of June. The repatriation drive, which began in November 2023, has now seen over one million Afghans return from Pakistan, reported news agency ANI, citing ARY News. The deportation campaign is aimed at more than 800,000 Afghans whose residency documents have been revoked. Among them are individuals born or raised in Pakistan. Islamabad has accused Afghan nationals of links to terrorism and blamed Kabul for harbouring militants, a charge the Taliban authorities have repeatedly denied. Farmer Mohammad Wali, who crossed into Afghanistan via the southern Spin Boldak border, was quoted by AFP as saying, 'We left behind our orchards... but we said to ourselves, 'If we stay, maybe one day we'll lose our dignity.'' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Undo With Eid al-Adha approaching, the pace of returns has slightly slowed, though crossings continue daily. Iran, meanwhile, is pushing ahead with similar measures. The UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM) recorded 15,675 Afghan deportations from Iran in May, more than double the figure in April. The IOM expressed alarm at the increasing number of families, rather than single men, being sent back, calling this 'a new and concerning trend.' In late May, Iranian authorities ordered undocumented Afghans to leave by July 6—a move that could impact as many as four million people, according to AFP. Already, more than 450,000 Afghans have returned from Iran since January. Both nations host millions of Afghan refugees who fled decades of conflict. But as economic conditions worsen and political tensions rise, public support for Afghan migrants has diminished. Pakistan, which still hosts around three million Afghans, has also warned it may revoke the UNHCR-issued refugee cards of 1.3 million cardholders by the end of June. The IOM has repeatedly urged countries to 'immediately suspend the forced return of Afghans... until safe, voluntary, and dignified return conditions are in place.' The Taliban authorities, who remain internationally unrecognised, have echoed the call, asking for returns to occur in a 'dignified' manner. Analysts view the deportation moves, particularly by Pakistan, as politically driven. Islamabad is under pressure to address domestic security threats, especially in border regions plagued by insurgencies. However, rights groups and humanitarian agencies warn that Afghanistan's already fragile infrastructure is ill-equipped to absorb such a massive and sudden return of people.
Jordan Times
25-03-2025
- Health
- Jordan Times
UNHCR ends IMC mental health services for refugees in Jordan
AMMAN — The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Jordan announced on Sunday that the International Medical Corps (IMC) will discontinue its mental health services for refugees at its affiliated clinics starting June 10, 2025. In a statement, UNHCR noted that refugees seeking psychological support for the first time can access specialised mental health services at various Ministry of Health facilities across the country. These services will be offered at reduced rates, equivalent to the fees paid by uninsured Jordanian citizens who can afford treatment. Access to these services requires possession of a valid UNHCR-issued refugee document for all refugees, and for Syrian refugees, a Ministry of Interior security card. UNHCR urged refugees to visit the nearest government health centre for assistance. The commission also assured that current patients receiving treatment through IMC, with active medical files, will be contacted by the IMC team to guide their cases moving forward. Page 2
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UN agencies raise alarm over Pakistan's move to deport thousands of Afghans waiting to go to the US
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The U.N. refugees and migration agencies on Wednesday expressed their concern over Pakistan's decision to deport thousands of Afghan refugees awaiting relocation to the United States and elsewhere. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration in a statement said they were seeking clarification from Pakistan, which said last week it would deport the refugees back to Afghanistan unless their cases were processed quickly by the countries that had agreed to take them in. About 20,000 Afghans were approved for resettlement in the U.S. under a program that helps people at risk because of their work with the American government, media, aid agencies and rights groups. They were among tens of thousands of Afghans who fled to neighboring Pakistan after their country fell to the Taliban in 2021. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. However, they were left in limbo after President Donald Trump paused U.S. refugee programs last month. 'A UNHCR-issued non-return advisory has been in place since 2021, calling for a suspension of forced returns of Afghan nationals from any country regardless of their status,' the joint UNHCR-IOM statement said. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week gave the green light to evict Afghans without papers from the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi before March 31, in preparation for deportation if they were not relocated to their host countries. UNHCR and IOM said they are especially concerned for Afghan nationals who face a risk of harm upon return, such as ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, journalists, human rights activists, and members of artistic professions like musicians and others. It said since Jan. 1, 2025, an uptick in arrests of Afghan nationals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has caused significant distress, with reports of Afghan nationals of various documentation statuses being rounded up. The Trump administration also announced the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program would be suspended from Jan. 27 for at least three months. It has shocked Afghans who were hoping to travel to the United States soon. Afghans in Pakistan have been virtually living in hiding since 2023 when a crackdown began on foreigners who are in the country without proper documentation. An estimated 800,000 Afghans have either gone back voluntarily or been deported since despite criticism from U.N. agencies, rights groups and the Taliban. Besides thousands of Afghans who are living in Pakistan and awaiting travel to host countries, there are around 1.45 million Afghan nationals registered with UNHCR as refugees in Pakistan as well but their stay has been extended until June. In the statement, UNHCR and IOM urged "Pakistan to implement any relocation measures with due consideration for human rights standards, including due process, and the legal status of Proof of Registration (POR) and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, who have resided in Pakistan for an extended period of time'. 'Pakistan has a proud tradition of hosting refugees, saving millions of lives. This generosity is greatly appreciated," UNHCR representative in Pakistan Philippa Candler said. 'IOM is committed to work with the Government of Pakistan and UNHCR to develop a mechanism to register, manage and screen Afghan nationals in Pakistan,' said IOM Chief of Mission, Mio Sato. She said 'This will open the door to tailored solutions including international protection to those in need and pathways for Afghan nationals, with long-standing socioeconomic and family ties in the country."
The Hill
05-02-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
UN agencies raise alarm over Pakistan's move to deport thousands of Afghans waiting to go to the US
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The U.N. refugees and migration agencies on Wednesday expressed their concern over Pakistan's decision to deport thousands of Afghan refugees awaiting relocation to the United States and elsewhere. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration in a statement said they were seeking clarification from Pakistan, which said last week it would deport the refugees back to Afghanistan unless their cases were processed quickly by the countries that had agreed to take them in. About 20,000 Afghans were approved for resettlement in the U.S. under a program that helps people at risk because of their work with the American government, media, aid agencies and rights groups. They were among tens of thousands of Afghans who fled to neighboring Pakistan after their country fell to the Taliban in 2021. However, they were left in limbo after President Donald Trump paused U.S. refugee programs last month. 'A UNHCR-issued non-return advisory has been in place since 2021, calling for a suspension of forced returns of Afghan nationals from any country regardless of their status,' the joint UNHCR-IOM statement said. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week gave the green light to evict Afghans without papers from the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi before March 31, in preparation for deportation if they were not relocated to their host countries. UNHCR and IOM said they are especially concerned for Afghan nationals who face a risk of harm upon return, such as ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, journalists, human rights activists, and members of artistic professions like musicians and others. It said since Jan. 1, 2025, an uptick in arrests of Afghan nationals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has caused significant distress, with reports of Afghan nationals of various documentation statuses being rounded up. The Trump administration also announced the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program would be suspended from Jan. 27 for at least three months. It has shocked Afghans who were hoping to travel to the United States soon. Afghans in Pakistan have been virtually living in hiding since 2023 when a crackdown began on foreigners who are in the country without proper documentation. An estimated 800,000 Afghans have either gone back voluntarily or been deported since despite criticism from U.N. agencies, rights groups and the Taliban. Besides thousands of Afghans who are living in Pakistan and awaiting travel to host countries, there are around 1.45 million Afghan nationals registered with UNHCR as refugees in Pakistan as well but their stay has been extended until June. In the statement, UNHCR and IOM urged 'Pakistan to implement any relocation measures with due consideration for human rights standards, including due process, and the legal status of Proof of Registration (POR) and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, who have resided in Pakistan for an extended period of time'. 'Pakistan has a proud tradition of hosting refugees, saving millions of lives. This generosity is greatly appreciated,' UNHCR representative in Pakistan Philippa Candler said. 'IOM is committed to work with the Government of Pakistan and UNHCR to develop a mechanism to register, manage and screen Afghan nationals in Pakistan,' said IOM Chief of Mission, Mio Sato. She said 'This will open the door to tailored solutions including international protection to those in need and pathways for Afghan nationals, with long-standing socioeconomic and family ties in the country.'
The Independent
05-02-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
UN agencies raise alarm over Pakistan's move to deport thousands of Afghans waiting to go to the US
The U.N. refugees and migration agencies on Wednesday expressed their concern over Pakistan 's decision to deport thousands of Afghan refugees awaiting relocation to the United States and elsewhere. The U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International Organization for Migration in a statement said they were seeking clarification from Pakistan, which said last week it would deport the refugees back to Afghanistan unless their cases were processed quickly by the countries that had agreed to take them in. About 20,000 Afghans were approved for resettlement in the U.S. under a program that helps people at risk because of their work with the American government, media, aid agencies and rights groups. They were among tens of thousands of Afghans who fled to neighboring Pakistan after their country fell to the Taliban in 2021. However, they were left in limbo after President Donald Trump paused U.S. refugee programs last month. 'A UNHCR-issued non-return advisory has been in place since 2021, calling for a suspension of forced returns of Afghan nationals from any country regardless of their status,' the joint UNHCR-IOM statement said. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week gave the green light to evict Afghans without papers from the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi before March 31, in preparation for deportation if they were not relocated to their host countries. UNHCR and IOM said they are especially concerned for Afghan nationals who face a risk of harm upon return, such as ethnic and religious minorities, women and girls, journalists, human rights activists, and members of artistic professions like musicians and others. It said since Jan. 1, 2025, an uptick in arrests of Afghan nationals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi has caused significant distress, with reports of Afghan nationals of various documentation statuses being rounded up. The Trump administration also announced the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program would be suspended from Jan. 27 for at least three months. It has shocked Afghans who were hoping to travel to the United States soon. Afghans in Pakistan have been virtually living in hiding since 2023 when a crackdown began on foreigners who are in the country without proper documentation. An estimated 800,000 Afghans have either gone back voluntarily or been deported since despite criticism from U.N. agencies, rights groups and the Taliban. Besides thousands of Afghans who are living in Pakistan and awaiting travel to host countries, there are around 1.45 million Afghan nationals registered with UNHCR as refugees in Pakistan as well but their stay has been extended until June. In the statement, UNHCR and IOM urged "Pakistan to implement any relocation measures with due consideration for human rights standards, including due process, and the legal status of Proof of Registration (POR) and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, who have resided in Pakistan for an extended period of time'. 'Pakistan has a proud tradition of hosting refugees, saving millions of lives. This generosity is greatly appreciated," UNHCR representative in Pakistan Philippa Candler said. 'IOM is committed to work with the Government of Pakistan and UNHCR to develop a mechanism to register, manage and screen Afghan nationals in Pakistan,' said IOM Chief of Mission, Mio Sato. She said 'This will open the door to tailored solutions including international protection to those in need and pathways for Afghan nationals, with long-standing socioeconomic and family ties in the country."
