AMSO: Forced Deportation of Journalists Must Be Prevented
Tawazon – The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) held an online meeting with Afghan journalists living in exile in Pakistan and Iran, raising concerns over increasing pressure and the risk of deportation facing these journalists.
The meeting took place on Friday, August 9, with participation from several Afghan journalists in exile. Attendees highlighted key challenges including visa renewals being denied, official letters from embassies and international organizations not being recognized by police authorities in Pakistan and Iran, and growing security pressures. They said these conditions have significantly increased the risk of forced return to Afghanistan.
The journalists also spoke about difficult economic circumstances, daily obstacles, and the lack of legal protections in host countries. They called on media support organizations to coordinate with the governments of Pakistan and Iran to prevent their deportation.
Their demands included establishing a special support fund for journalists in third countries, issuing valid identification cards, organizing specialized training courses, launching global advocacy campaigns, and securing financial resources to hire legal defenders to speed up asylum cases.
Officials from AMSO assured participants that they will use all available resources to follow up on these issues and work to prevent forced deportation and return of journalists to Afghanistan.
In recent months, reports have emerged about the detention and deportation of some Afghan asylum seekers from Pakistan and Iran. Media activists warn that forced return of journalists to Afghanistan would put their lives at serious risk due to security threats.
