Alarming Increase in Forced Deportation of Afghan Refugees from Tajikistan

Kokcha News Agency – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has revealed that nearly 1,400 Afghan refugees have been forcibly deported from Tajikistan to Afghanistan over the past two weeks. This wave of deportations has intensified following Tajikistan’s crackdown on Afghan refugees, with many being detained and expelled without due process.

Fear and Uncertainty Among Refugees:
Many Afghan refugees living in Tajikistan are now living in fear and uncertainty, with some even afraid to leave their homes to obtain basic necessities. Several refugees have described their lives as akin to imprisonment, constantly fearing arrest and forced return to Afghanistan.

One refugee, who wished to remain anonymous, shared that if a family member falls ill, they are forced to leave their home to seek medical care, but the risk of arrest by the police looms over them. Another Afghan woman, who has been living in Tajikistan, expressed her fear of returning to Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s severe restrictions on women’s rights. She emphasized that in Tajikistan, she can work and provide for her children, but in Afghanistan, she would be deprived of this opportunity.

Statistics on Deportations:
According to the IOM, between July 17 and August 3, 1,388 Afghans were deported to Afghanistan via the Sher Khan border crossing, with 89% of them being forcibly expelled. Among those deported, 49% were men, 38% were women, and 13% were children under the age of five. During the same period, 474 people entered Tajikistan, with more than half seeking employment and 39% planning to travel to other countries.

Lack of Due Process:
Many of the deported refugees claim that Tajik authorities gave them only a verbal 15-day notice to leave the country, a deadline that expired on July 21. Some refugees also reported being detained and deported despite having valid legal residency documents.

Efforts by Afghan Embassy:
The Afghan Embassy in Tajikistan, still operated by Zahir Aghbar, a representative of the former Afghan government, has made efforts to halt the deportations and extend the residency of Afghan refugees. However, no official response has been received from the Tajik government.

It is estimated that around 13,000 Afghan refugees are currently in Tajikistan, most of whom are awaiting resettlement to third countries.