Refugee Rights Watch Global: Afghan Refugee Families Face Violent Evictions in Islamabad
Tawazon – Following the detaintion of Afghan refugees in Pakistan last night, Refugee Rights Watch Global has warned that these refugees and their vulnerable families are at severe risk, eemphasizing the urgent need for international attention and intervention.
In a statement on X, Refugee Rights Watch Global said that Afghan refugee families are facing violent attempts at forced eviction in Islamabad.
According to reports, police entered Argentina Park on November 25 and attempted to remove Afghan refugee families who have been living under tents for more than three months. The affected families include women, children, and elderly individuals, many of whom have no alternative shelter or protection. Eyewitnesses reported that police acted violently, beating some refugees, and told residents they would be relocated, though many fear that the true intention is forced return to Afghanistan.
“These vulnerable families are at severe risk,” the statement read, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and intervention.
Refugee Rights Watch Global called on countries, international organizations, UN agencies, IOM, UNHCR, and Amnesty International t immediately halt all forced removals and detentions of Afghan refugees, ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of all affected families, provide urgent humanitarian assistance and establish a transparent protection process.
“These families fled extreme hardship in search of safety and stability. Their basic human rights must be respected and protected,” the statement emphasized.
Refugee Rights Watch Global urged media outlets, human rights defenders and partners to amplify these reports, share available footage, and support accountability and protective measures to safeguard Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
