Reverse decision on eviction of refugees, Islamabad asked

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has asked Islamabad to immediately reverse its decision on deporting undocumented refugees.

HRCP chairperson Hina Jilani vehemently opposed the caretaker government’s decision to expel all illegal migrants, including 1.4 million Afghans, by November 1.

Addressing a consultation session in Islamabad on Wednesday, she argued a one-size-fits-all solution could not be applied to all refugees and asylum seekers without considering their needs.

Pakistan was bound by international customary law to put humanitarian concerns ahead of security considerations in dealing with the issue, she argued.

HRCP Council member and ex-senator Farhatullah Babar said the absence of domestic laws on refugees was no excuse for failing to protect their rights.

Also a senior PP leader, Babar urged the government to honour Pakistan’s obligations under the tripartite agreement signed with Afghanistan and UNHCR.

A national refugee council be formed to serve as a bridge between the government and refugees and address their concerns, he suggested.

According to representatives of Afghan refugees, it is not humanly possible for hundreds of thousands of people to return to their homeland in a matter of weeks.

UNHCR representatives insisted any repatriation of refugees must be voluntary, based on informed consent for return and reintegration and consistent with international standards of dignity and safety.

Refugee rights researcher Dr Saba Gul Khattak called for accurate and publicly available data on the number of refugees and asylum seekers in order to fairly assess their needs.

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