UN Reports Cases of ‘Torture and Detention’ of Returning Migrants by Taliban

Kokcha News Agency – The United Nations has released a damning report highlighting the severe human rights abuses faced by migrants returning to Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The report, jointly published by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is based on interviews conducted in 2024 with 49 returnees, including women, former government employees, journalists, and civil society activists.

The report details instances of torture, arbitrary detention, and threats to personal security, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as women and girls, who face persecution based on their gender.

• Torture and Detention: The report includes testimonies of returnees who were subjected to severe torture, including beatings with cables, sticks, and wooden rods, waterboarding, and mock executions.
• House Arrest: A former television journalist described living in de facto house arrest since returning to Afghanistan, with no access to work, education beyond grade six for girls, or freedom of movement.
• Forced Hiding: Many former government employees and security personnel have been forced into hiding due to fear of retaliation by the Taliban, despite the group’s claims of a general amnesty.

International Law Violations:

The report emphasizes that the forced return of individuals to situations where they face persecution, torture, or other forms of inhumane treatment violates the principle of non-refoulement, a cornerstone of international law. The UN has called on all governments to:

• Halt returns of individuals at risk.
• Conduct thorough individual assessments before deportation.
• Expand access to legal and safe pathways for Afghans at risk.

Taliban’s Response:

While the Taliban administration has responded in a “coordinated manner” to the influx of returnees, the report stresses that more needs to be done to ensure the safe reintegration of returned individuals and the protection of their rights.

• Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: “Nobody should be sent back to a country where they face risk of persecution on account of their identity or personal history. In Afghanistan, this is even more pronounced for women and girls, who are subjected to a range of measures that amount to persecution on the basis of their gender alone.”
• Roza Otunbayeva, UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan: “The participation of all Afghans in the social, political, and economic life of the country is critical to the development and prosperity of the nation. I urge the de facto authorities to uphold their obligations under international law and their responsibilities to the Afghan people.”

The UN report sheds light on the grave human rights abuses faced by returning migrants in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. It calls for immediate action to protect vulnerable individuals and uphold international human rights standards. Governments must prioritize safe and legal pathways for Afghans at risk and ensure their rights are safeguarded.

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