UN Special Rapporteur Urges Pakistan to Halt Forced Returns of Afghan Refugees
Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has called on Pakistan to cease the forced repatriation of Afghan refugees. In a statement on September 18, Bennett emphasized the importance of upholding the principle of non-refoulement, which dictates that no individual should be returned to a location where they face a credible risk of severe human rights violations. He specifically highlighted concerns for vulnerable groups, including women and girls, unaccompanied children, human rights defenders, journalists, former government employees, and ex-security forces personnel. Bennett also expressed alarm regarding the forced return of Afghan medical and dental students from Pakistan, particularly female students who face significant restrictions on higher education access in Afghanistan. He urged Pakistan to establish a safe and accessible mechanism for at-risk Afghans to provide information, undergo individual assessments, and receive protection again...
