Afghanistan Peace Campaign
Tajikistan has given Afghan refugees just 15 days to leave the country, sparking fear among thousands who face forced deportation despite holding legal residency documents.
Tajikistan has reportedly launched a campaign to arrest and forcibly deport Afghan refugees, including many who possess valid residency permits. According to multiple sources, the Tajik government has issued a 15-day ultimatum for Afghan migrants to leave the country, triggering widespread fear and uncertainty among the refugee population.
Afghan refugees have reported that these deportations are taking place without regard for their legal status. Many individuals who hold official residency documents and permits are still being detained and sent back to Afghanistan by force, often without prior notice or legal recourse.
Currently, over 13,000 Afghan nationals reside in Tajikistan. A significant portion of them are awaiting decisions on immigration cases, particularly resettlement opportunities through countries like Canada. Forced deportation at this stage could derail their applications and place them in immediate danger.
This crackdown in Tajikistan mirrors increasing pressures in other neighboring countries. Both Iran and Pakistan have ramped up deportations of Afghan refugees in recent months, expelling thousands each day under increasingly aggressive and punitive measures.
Human rights organizations and refugee advocates have voiced grave concerns about the fate of those forced to return. Numerous reports have documented cases of violence, intimidation, and even extrajudicial killings of returnees in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Former government workers and activists remain especially vulnerable.
Despite these well-documented threats, Tajikistan has joined Iran and Pakistan in pushing forward with mass deportations. Regional governments appear determined to reduce their refugee populations, even at the cost of endangering lives and violating international protection norms.
With few countries offering relocation or asylum options, Afghan refugees in Central and South Asia find themselves in an increasingly desperate situation. Many are now forced to choose between uncertain futures in host countries and the deadly risks of returning to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.