Kabul, 3 December 2021 (TDI): The Refugee Agency of the UN (UNHCR) expressed their concern about the escalating risks that Afghans that want to leave the country; and also the fact that the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate.
RATWATTE STATEMENTS
Indrika Ratwatte, Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, released a comment on the situation. The note mentioned that the borders of Afghanistan with Pakistan and Iran are open to the people that have passports, and visas. The Agency then remarked that Pakistan allows a small number of medical cases to enter without documents.
Whereas the borders with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are completely closed to Afghans. Then the note mentioned that around the world, the people that leave usually do not have travel permissions.
Ratwatte then mentioned that the countries should make exceptions for those that are seeking safety. She also remarked that allowing them to enter without documentation, is a gesture that could save their lives.
Ratwatte also remarked that this gesture is a cornerstone of the international asylum system. She stated that even before the current crisis, many Afghan citizens used to cross the border with Pakistan for different reasons. According to the comment, those trips were always temporary as the Afghan citizens returned to the country after some time.
UNHCR REPORTS ON AFGHAN CITIZENS
Then Ratwatte remarked that the UNHCR offices in neighboring countries received Afghan citizens looking for asylum. According to the UNHCR, those still in Afghanistan hope to reach a neighboring country to access international protection.
Then Ratwatte mentioned the reasons that hinder humanitarian assistance, and that presents an obstacle in the everyday life. Those reasons are the ongoing barriers to the girls to access education, the restrictions on women’s movement, and also their ability to work.
Ratwatte also remarked that there are other reasons that the risk for the Afghans increases. An example is the targeting of religious and ethnic minorities. Another reason that increases that risk is the intimidation and killings of human rights activists.
Finally, Ratwatte mentions the economic deterioration, and hunger, as reasons that may compel thousands of Afghans to leave. Ratwatte also said that the UNHCR is aware that some asylum seekers cross to other countries through unofficial channels.
REQUEST TO SMUGGLERS AND DEPORTATIONS
Those that entered Iran, reported that they asked smugglers for help. Furthermore, the majority told the UNHCR of their exposure to risks in the journey, like extortion, beatings, and violence against women and girls. The UNHCR also reported that deportations from Pakistan, Iran, and Tajikistan increased, in contravention to UNCHR’s non-return advisory.
Iran authorities report that 5000 Afghans arrive each day, and the UNHCR estimates that Iran deported 3000 Afghans daily from August to November. Pakistan deported 1800 during September and November. The Agency also expressed concern for the deportation of Tajikistan of 23 Afghan Asylum seekers.
Ratwatte then remarked on UNHCR’s call for the authorities to cease the deportations because many of them require protection. Then they added that to decide whether the Afghans that cross into another country need protection, should be decided with an effective assessment.
CALL TO DEVELOP EASY ASYLUM SYSTEM
The Refugee Agency then mentioned that the authorities have to implement an easy asylum system for Afghans. Then remarked that because of this, it is not possible to assess whether those who returned fear persecution. The note also mentioned that due to the lack of an effective system, they can not either assess human rights violations in Afghanistan.
The Refugee Agency urged the countries that are receiving Afghan citizens to keep their borders open to people that need international protection. That call is because an inability to seek refugee aid might risk lives. UNHCR then remarked that they are ready to help national authorities to increase their humanitarian assistance.
The Agency considers as newly arrived, the Afghan citizens that arrived after the 1 January 2021. The estimation of the total number of newly arrived Afghans is from data sources. These statistics include official estimates provided by national authorities. They also included the Afghan citizens that register at the UNHCR, partners, or governments.
HIGHER NUMBER OF AFGHAN REFUGEES
According to the note, they have estimations that the total number of Afghans outside the territory that needs protection is much higher. The Agency introduced a new tool to allow border monitoring partners to conduct interviews with informants. Those informants are present at some entry points, and that know irregular movements of Afghans into Iran, and also Pakistan.
