Afghanistan Peace CampaignHe said many of these returns are taking place under difficult humanitarian conditions and, in some cases, are not entirely voluntary.
As the number of Afghans returning from countries in the region increases, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says return to Afghanistan should not mark the end of the process, but rather the beginning of efforts to ensure a safe and dignified life for returnees.
Barham Salih, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, told the UN Security Council that the number of Afghans returning to the country is expected to reach nearly eight million by the end of this year.
He said many of these returns are taking place under difficult humanitarian conditions and, in some cases, are not entirely voluntary.
Barham Salih, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said: “By the end of this year, we expect nearly eight million Afghans to be returned to their areas, admittedly many in adverse circumstances, not entirely voluntary. Many returned amid a severe humanitarian situation and significant restrictions, especially on the rights of women and girls, to communities already struggling with poverty, limited services, and few economic opportunities.”
Pakistan, which has hosted millions of Afghans for more than four decades, also called at the meeting for greater international attention to the burden borne by refugee-hosting countries.
Nabeel Munir, Pakistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister, said: “We have hosted millions of Afghans for over four decades, extending support and hospitality despite significant economic and security challenges. Our experience demonstrates both the importance of international solidarity and the limits of expecting host countries to shoulder protracted refugee situations.”
Meanwhile, Panama’s foreign minister and Colombia’s representative stressed at the meeting that return should mean more than simply crossing a border; conditions should allow people to remain in their homes after returning without being forced to flee again.
They cited Afghanistan, along with Ukraine, Syria, Sudan and Myanmar, as examples of protracted displacement crises.
Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez, Panama’s foreign minister, said: “Returning home means being able to stay there and continue one’s life. We see this situation in Ukraine, Syria, Sudan and Afghanistan.”
Colombia’s representative said: “Some of these processes have led to positive results. This is particularly true in Syria, where millions have returned. And in the case of Afghanistan, this shows us that people ultimately want to return home.”
Afghanistan has faced a large wave of returning citizens from countries in the region over the past three years. The Islamic Emirate’s spokesman previously said during a program in Kabul that nearly two million Afghan migrants had returned from Pakistan, Iran and Türkiye over the past year.