Refugee Congress Strongly Condemns the Expulsion of Afghan Refugees from Pakistan

For immediate release: November 2, 2023

Refugee Congress strongly denounces the decision earlier this week by the government of Pakistan to begin forcibly removing over one million Afghan refugees, condemning them to a dangerous fate if returned to Afghanistan. 

More than eight million Afghans have fled the country over decades of conflict - and 1.6 million fled to neighboring countries following the withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan in 2021. Additionally, more than three million Afghans remain internally displaced.

With few options and no possibility to return safely to Afghanistan, Afghans must be able to seek refuge in Pakistan. We call on the United States, UN bodies, government partners, and other regional entities to press the Pakistani government to reverse its decision, and to move swiftly towards negotiating a more humane, dignified, and sustainable solution for all Afghan refugees.

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Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced people to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.

MEDIA CONTACT: media@refugeecongress.org