Afghanistan Peace Campaign
As the 15-day deadline set by Tajik authorities for Afghan refugees nears its end, reports indicate that the government has already begun forcefully deporting more individuals. According to multiple sources, over 150 people were rounded up from local markets and public areas yesterday and deported from the country.
Among those deported are men, women, elderly individuals, and minors under the age of 18. In many cases, families have been separated—children deported while their parents remain in Tajikistan, or spouses removed while their partners and children are left behind. The abrupt and aggressive nature of the deportations has caused widespread distress among the Afghan refugee community.
What has raised particular concern is that the majority of those targeted hold legal refugee status. Many are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and possess valid refugee cards. Several individuals are also in the process of being resettled to Canada, having active asylum applications under review.
While the real motive behind the forced deportations remains unclear and has not been officially disclosed by the Tajik government, many observers believe it may be linked to recent geopolitical developments. In particular, Russia’s formal recognition of the Taliban administration in Afghanistan appears to have influenced policy shifts across the region. Tajikistan, long known for harboring Afghan opposition figures and anti-Taliban sentiment, may now be aligning itself more closely with Moscow’s stance. Some analysts suggest that the presence of anti-Taliban groups in Tajikistan has prompted the government to begin expelling Afghan refugees as a gesture of regional alignment and political repositioning.
Most Afghan refugees in Tajikistan are resettled in Wahdat, a district located approximately 20 kilometers east of the capital, Dushanbe. Formerly known as Kofarnihon, Wahdat is one of the more densely populated areas of the country and has become a central hub for refugee communities. Despite its proximity to the capital, Wahdat has limited infrastructure and resources to support large populations, making the sudden deportations even more devastating for the displaced families and their host communities.
In response to the escalating situation, several online petitions have begun circulating, urging the Canadian government to expedite resettlement processes or initiate emergency evacuations for those whose asylum cases are already under review. Human rights advocates and refugee support groups have described the situation as chaotic and alarming, calling for immediate international intervention to prevent further harm to vulnerable Afghan families.
Despite the presence of the United Nations and other international advocacy organizations in Tajikistan, their influence appears limited. The Tajik government has largely ignored calls for compliance with international treaties and refugee protection standards, raising concerns about the effectiveness of international oversight and the lack of accountability in ongoing deportations.
This latest wave of deportations follows a controversial 15-day ultimatum issued earlier this month by the Tajik government, ordering all Afghan refugees to leave the country. As reported previously, the directive has triggered widespread fear and confusion, even among those holding valid residency permits and refugee documentation. Tajik authorities have since intensified efforts to detain and deport Afghan nationals—many of whom are former civil servants, military personnel, or individuals associated with the previous Afghan government—despite ongoing asylum applications and the well-documented risks they face upon return to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.