Afghanistan among top five refugee-origin countries; 6.4 million displaced: UNHCR

Khaama Press

At least 117.3 million people, or one in 69 individuals worldwide, remain forcibly displaced, including a significant number from Afghanistan, according to a report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) today.

Wars in Afghanistan during the 1980s doubled refugee numbers to 20 million by 1990. The 2001 US invasion further escalated the crisis, increasing global displacement, UNHCR global trend report said on Thursday, June 13.

Forced displacement has continued to increase in the first four months of 2024 and is expected to surpass 120 million by the end of April. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for international action to address the underlying causes of displacement.

According to the report, today, Afghanistan is one of the top five countries of origin for refugees, with 6.4 million Afghans forcibly displaced. This number reflects the ongoing instability and conflict in the region, which has persisted for decades.

Almost 70 percent of refugees live in countries neighboring their countries of origin. Iran and Pakistan, for instance, host nearly all Afghan refugees, with Iran accommodating 3.8 million and Pakistan 2 million Afghan refugees.

Germany hosts a significant number of Afghan refugees despite not bordering Afghanistan. At the end of the year, Germany had 255,100 Afghan refugees, highlighting its role in providing international protection to those fleeing conflict.

The continuous rise in forced displacement, particularly among Afghan refugees, underscores the need for global solidarity and comprehensive solutions. Addressing the root causes of displacement and providing adequate support to host countries are crucial steps toward mitigating this humanitarian crisis.

According to the latest UNHCR Global Trends report for 2024, almost three-quarters (72 percent) of all refugees come from just five countries: Afghanistan (6.4 million), Syria (6.4 million), Venezuela (6.1 million), Ukraine (6 million), and Palestine (6 million).

Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, called for urgent international efforts to address the root causes of forced displacement, highlighting the immense suffering and human tragedies behind the staggering displacement numbers.

Of the 117.3 million forcibly displaced people, 68.3 million are internally displaced. In Gaza, ongoing conflict has displaced over 1.7 million people, accounting for 75 percent of its population.

Afghanistan among top five refugee-origin countries; 6.4 million displaced: UNHCR
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Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule

Voice of America

June 12, 8:46 PM

The Taliban’s ban on educating girls over the age of 12 in Afghanistan reached 1,000 days Thursday amid global outrage and demands for the immediate resumption of children’s learning.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, denounced it as a “sad and sobering milestone” and noted that “1,000 days out-of-school amounts to 3 billion learning hours lost.”

The statement quoted Catherine Russell, UNICEF executive director, as warning the male-only Taliban government that no country can progress if half of its population is left behind.

“For 1.5 million girls, this systematic exclusion is not only a blatant violation of their right to education but also results in dwindling opportunities and deteriorating mental health,” Russell said.

“As we mark this grim milestone, I urge the de facto authorities to allow all children to resume learning immediately,” she added.

Women banned from many public places

The fundamentalist Taliban have prohibited girls from attending school beyond sixth grade since retaking control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The ban was later extended to universities, blocking female students from finishing their advanced education.

Women also are not allowed to show their faces on television or visit public places such as parks, beauty parlors, or gyms, and they are barred from undertaking road trips unless accompanied by a male relative.

“Afghanistan will never fully recover from these 1,000 days,” said Heather Barr, women’s rights associate director at Human Rights Watch.

“The potential loss in this time — the artists, doctors, poets, and engineers who will never get to lend their country their skills — cannot be replaced,” said Barr. “Every additional day, more dreams die.”

UN officials calls for accountability

Meanwhile, in his latest report issued this week, the U.N. special rapporteur on Afghan human rights has called for the Taliban to be held accountable for their crimes against women and girls.

Richard Bennett alleged that de facto Afghan leaders have established and enforced “an institutionalized system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity and exclusion of women and girls.”

He will present and discuss the report at the U.N. Human Rights Council meeting scheduled for June 18.

The Taliban reject criticism of their government and policies, saying they are aligned with local culture and Islam. Their reclusive supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has denounced calls to reform his policies as interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

The impoverished country is reeling from years of war and repeated natural disasters. U.N. agencies estimate that more than half of the population in Afghanistan — 23.7 million people, including 9.2 million children — need relief assistance.

“Education doesn’t just provide opportunities. It protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition, and other health problems and bolsters their resilience to disasters like the floods, drought, and earthquakes that frequently plague Afghanistan,” UNICEF executive director Russell said.

Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule
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OCHA Reports 19% of Afghan Children in Child Labor, Urges Action

 

According to OCHA, worldwide, 160 million children are engaged in child labor, which is almost one in ten children.

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labor said that 19% of children are engaged in child labour in Afghanistan. 

OCHA in its report called the number a grave concern for the future of Afghan children, emphasizing joint work to ensure the learning opportunity and a safe environment for them.

OCHA said: “In Afghanistan, 19% of children are engaged in child labour. This is a grave concern for their well-being and future. We must work together to ensure every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment.”

According to OCHA, worldwide, 160 million children are engaged in child labor, which is almost one in ten children.

On this day, child laborers also asked the Islamic Emirate to support their families in addition to providing suitable job opportunities.

Earlier, Save the Children also reported that child labor in Afghanistan has increased by 38% compared to last year.

OCHA Reports 19% of Afghan Children in Child Labor, Urges Action
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Countries Pledge $842M in Aid for Afghanistan at Brussels Meeting

12 June 2024

It has been said that this meeting also discussed progress in Afghanistan’s social and economic sectors.

Senior officials from various countries have pledged nearly $842 million to address the humanitarian emergency in Afghanistan during a meeting in Brussels.

At this meeting, hosted by the European Union to discuss engagement with Afghanistan, senior officials from several countries also announced that addressing Afghanistan’s situation is one of their priorities.

It has been said that this meeting also discussed progress in Afghanistan’s social and economic sectors.

Andreas Papaconstantinou, Director for Neighbourhood and Middle East for the European Commission, said that the Commission had very good discussions about delivering humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and the regional Afghan refugee crisis. It maintains support for Afghans, and donors have announced an amount of $841.9 million dollars to address humanitarian emergencies in this country.

The Ministry of Economy of the Islamic Emirate praised the countries’ commitment to helping the people of Afghanistan.

Abdul Rahman Habib, spokesperson for the Ministry of Economy, told TOLOnews: “In addition to humanitarian aid, supporting development projects can provide permanent employment opportunities for people and prevent poverty.”

“The main goal of humanitarian aid is to stand up, strengthen the economy, and reduce and eliminate poverty,” said Asif Nang, an economic analyst.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar said that Faisal bin Abdullah Al Hanzab, special envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in a meeting of senior officials from various countries on Afghanistan, emphasized that Doha continues its efforts in various fields in Afghanistan through hosting meetings of special representatives for Afghanistan.

But how beneficial is the presence of an Islamic Emirate representative at these meetings?

“Members of Afghanistan [representatives from Afghanistan] should participate in these meetings and convey the realities to them; otherwise, we have a long experience with special representatives, and what happens in Afghanistan does not reach the ears of the people,” Mohammad Mateen Mohammadi, a political and military analyst, told TOLOnews.

Meanwhile, the European Union has recently announced the allocation of $150 million euros to Afghans inside and outside Afghanistan. In a statement, the European Union said that this aid will continue to provide food, shelter, and health services to the most vulnerable citizens of Afghanistan.

Countries Pledge $842M in Aid for Afghanistan at Brussels Meeting
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Ex-US official demands Taliban accountability for women’s rights at Doha meeting

Khaama Press

A former senior White House official stated that the Taliban should be held accountable for human rights violations, especially women’s rights, at the upcoming Doha meeting.

Lisa Curtis wrote on the “Just Security” website that the United Nations should expedite its efforts to criminalize “gender apartheid.”

Curtis expressed hope that the UN’s efforts in Afghanistan would initiate a process leading to Taliban accountability for human rights abuses.

The former White House official noted that in December 2023, the Security Council passed a resolution calling for Afghan women’s participation in the political process and appointing a special UN representative for Afghanistan.

However, she pointed out that six months after the resolution, its provisions have not been implemented.

Curtis emphasized the need for the UN to accelerate its actions regarding Afghanistan, including recognizing gender apartheid as a crime against humanity, which she claims is happening in Afghanistan.

She mentioned that continued UN human rights initiatives in Afghanistan give the global community a valuable opportunity to align the country’s conditions with international human rights standards.

Curtis concluded that the current situation in Afghanistan demands a cohesive global approach to address the ISIS-K threat and to pressure the Taliban to improve women’s rights.

Ex-US official demands Taliban accountability for women’s rights at Doha meeting
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BRICS Ministers Advocate Peaceful Resolution in Afghanistan

The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on this matter but has consistently assured that Afghan soil will not be used against any country.

The BRICS foreign ministers emphasized the peaceful resolution of Afghanistan’s challenges in a joint statement.

The statement also stressed ensuring that terrorists do not use Afghan soil. They supported Afghanistan as an independent, peaceful country free from war, terrorism, and drugs.

“The Ministers emphasized the need for an urgent peaceful settlement in Afghanistan in order to strengthen regional security and stability. They advocated for Afghanistan as an independent, united and peaceful state free from terrorism, war and drugs,” the joint statement reads.

Immediate humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and the protection of the fundamental rights of the people, especially women and various ethnic groups, are other areas highlighted in this joint statement.

The joint statement of the foreign ministers of BRICS member countries states: “stressed the need to provide urgent and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people and to safeguard the fundamental rights of all Afghans including women, girls and different ethnic groups.”

“Their thinking is that there are certain groups operating in Afghanistan, and they need to reassure them. We should maintain diplomatic relations with regional and global countries so that they can be assured,” said Mohammad Emal Dostyar, a university lecturer.

Political analyst Samiullah Ahmadzai said: “During this period, all politicians have asked the Islamic Emirate to take positive steps in this regard. We should not condition girls’ schools and universities on interaction with the international community; it is in our own best interest.”

The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on this matter but has consistently assured that Afghan soil will not be used against any country.

Abdul Jamil Shirani, another political analyst, said: “The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly stated and clarified that there should be no concerns about Afghanistan’s territory. There will be no problems for neighboring countries, the region, and even beyond that, for the United States and its allies.”

The meeting of the foreign ministers of BRICS member countries was held in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, with the participation of foreign ministers from Russia, China, Iran, Turkey, India, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, South Africa, Laos, Bahrain, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Thailand, Belarus, Venezuela, Mauritania, and Vietnam.

BRICS Ministers Advocate Peaceful Resolution in Afghanistan
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Moscow: Establishing Relations with Current Afghan Authorities Necessary

According to TASS, Maria Zakharova said this is beneficial for Russia and added that the removal of “Taliban” officials from the blacklist is also in progress.

The spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, in response to criticism from some journalists about Russia’s contacts with the Islamic Emirate, stated that to prevent drug trafficking and fight terrorism, it is necessary to establish contact with the current authorities in Afghanistan.

According to TASS, Maria Zakharova said this is beneficial for Russia and added that the removal of “Taliban” officials from the blacklist is also in progress.

Part of the TASS report quotes Maria Zakharova as saying: “Some bloggers and journalists are reacting nervously to the fact that Russia is in contact with the Taliban movement, the current government of Afghanistan. Those who write about these issues do not understand that solving problems such as fighting drug trafficking, terrorism, and organized crime actually requires contact, and this is in our interest.”

However, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, praised the remarks of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman and told TOLOnews that the Islamic Emirate wants to engage with all countries of the world. According to Mujahid, Afghanistan needs cooperation and positive contacts with countries.

The spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate said, “Afghanistan needs cooperation as well as positive contacts with countries, and the recent position of Russia is positive, and we appreciate it. In general, our request is that all countries establish good and trustworthy relations with Afghanistan, as this benefits countries, nations, and the region.”

Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst, told TOLOnews: “Russia is a major power in the world and a strong member of the Security Council. Removing the Islamic Emirate from the blacklist is a big advantage for the Islamic Emirate.”

Mohammad Zalmai Afghanyar, another political analyst, said: “If the Russians show closeness to Afghanistan on one hand and condemn it on the other, it means that they want to have Afghanistan with them and also want to have international minds against Afghanistan. I hope a unified political consensus around relations with Afghanistan is established so that Afghanistan can come out of isolation.”

Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, also emphasized the importance of Russia’s interaction with the interim government of Afghanistan in a press conference in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

Moscow: Establishing Relations with Current Afghan Authorities Necessary
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Regional Contact Group Meeting on Afghanistan Held

Hassan Kazemi Qomi also mentioned that the recommendations given to the interim government do not imply interference in Afghanistan’s affairs.

The second round of the Regional Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan was held today (Saturday) in Tehran with the participation of special representatives from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and China.

The ambassador and special representative of Iran for Afghanistan described the current crisis in Afghanistan as severe and stated that to overcome it, the interim government should form a government comprising competent individuals from various sectors.

Hassan Kazemi Qomi also mentioned that the recommendations given to the interim government do not imply interference in Afghanistan’s affairs.

In a press conference related to this meeting, Kazemi Qomi stated, “The scale of the crisis and challenges in Afghanistan is significant. It requires utilizing national capacities within the country, along with beneficial and favorable regional cooperation. This does not mean interference but is a suggestion and well-intentioned advice.”

He added that the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan was one of the topics discussed in this meeting.

The acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran, in a message read by his assistant during the meeting, emphasized that Iran supports constructive initiatives for peace, stability, and development in Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, Zaki Jalali, the head of the third political department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate, stated that although they were invited to the Regional Contact Group meeting on Afghanistan, they did not attend. He added that existing mechanisms should be used in meetings concerning Afghanistan instead of creating new structures.

Zaki Jalali said, “Despite being invited, the Afghan government did not participate. At the same time, the Afghan government expects that meetings held about Afghanistan should utilize established mechanisms rather than creating new ones. The Afghan government is engaged in discussions with relevant parties regarding Doha 3.”

Sayed Akbar Sial Wardak, a political analyst, told TOLOnews, “I think the Eastern countries in the region that organized the Contact Group meeting created an important platform, and the Islamic Emirate should have participated.”

Samiullah Ahmadzai, another political analyst, said, “The holding of the Contact Group meeting in Tehran before the Doha meeting indicates that regional countries are trying to have a unified stance at the Doha meeting.”

Earlier, the Special Representative of Russia for Afghanistan had said that the Regional Contact Group meeting would focus on preparations for the third Doha meeting.

Regional Contact Group Meeting on Afghanistan Held
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China, Pakistan Call for Inclusive Govt in Afghanista

Meanwhile, analysts have accused the two countries of not having a clear definition of an inclusive government.

China and Pakistan in a joint statement called on the Islamic Emirate to establish an inclusive government and to not allow others to use Afghanistan’s soil against other countries.

The joint statement, issued after the visit of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China at the official invitation of this country, called on the Islamic Emirate to adopt moderate policies and combat terrorism.

“The two sides [China-Pakistan] agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on the Afghanistan issue. Both sides called for concerted efforts of the international community to positively support Afghanistan in properly addressing challenges in such areas as humanitarianism and economic development, encourage the interim government of Afghanistan to build an inclusive political framework, adopt moderate policies, pursue good-neighborliness, and firmly combat terrorism, including not allowing its territory to be used for terrorist acts. Both sides agreed to play a constructive role in helping Afghanistan to achieve stable development and integrate into the international community,” the statement says.

Meanwhile, analysts have accused the two countries of not having a clear definition of an inclusive government.

“China and Pakistan still do not have a clear definition of an inclusive government, and they want a government in Afghanistan that they themselves can control,” said Abdul Wahed Hakimi, international relations analyst.

“An inclusive government does not exist in the world or in these countries themselves. Whatever they say is a pure lie and a form of revenge,” said Aziz Stanikzai, a political analyst.

The Islamic Emirate has not responded to the statement but had said that the interim government in Afghanistan is inclusive.

Several other countries have also consistently emphasized the need for an inclusive government in Afghanistan; however, the Islamic Emirate has asked countries not to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

China, Pakistan Call for Inclusive Govt in Afghanista
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For this student, helping Afghan peers succeed fulfills another dream

The Washington Post
June 9, 2024 
Zahra Rahimi has lived out many dreams in the past five years.

The first time she rode her bicycle outside in Virginia — something she couldn’t do in her home country of Afghanistan, which her family fled five years ago. The day last fall when she and other young female leaders were honored at the White House. The moment she was accepted into William & Mary — her top choice — with a full scholarship.

And this month, as she sat in her cap and gown, a rainbow of cords draped around her neck, alongside more than 800 graduates of Alexandria City High School.

“I never thought I would even be able to finish school, especially when I was in Afghanistan,” said Zahra, 17. “I never saw any of these opportunities coming to me, but right now it feels like a miracle, like I’m in a dream.”

In her five years in Virginia, Zahra became a standout student. She helped start a club for Afghan students at the high school and a community tutoring program for peers learning English, became the first student representative from the International Academy to sit on the School Board, and was recognized by the Virginia House of Delegates.

“She just continues to show up. She shows up and gets involved,” said Alexandria City School Board Chair Michelle Rief. “And I think as she’s done that, she’s realized how much of an impact she can make as a student.”

Zahra and her family arrived in Richmond in the fall of 2019, then came to Alexandria. The oldest of six children, Zahra said her father decided to move the family from Afghanistan for safety and better education opportunities. In Virginia, she connected with uncles and cousins she had not seen in years, but she still missed her grandparents and other relatives back in Afghanistan.

During the 2020-2021 school year, 69 Afghan students enrolled in Alexandria City Public Schools for the first time.

In August 2021, more than 85,000 Afghan nationals arrived in the United States as part of the massive U.S. evacuation when the Taliban took control of Kabul. Thousands landed in Alexandria, and their children enrolled in the public school system.

The school district’s Afghan population boomed: More than 400 students enrolled during the 2021-2022 school year.

Students learning English as a second language, especially older ones, often struggle in school. In Virginia, English learners score the lowest on the state’s standardized tests in every subject and have one of the highest high school dropout rates. School systems have limited resources to help students catch up, and even in the Alexandria district, with two International Academies designed for students who recently arrived from other countries, English learners can struggle.

Zahra, who herself spoke little English when she arrived, quickly noticed how many of her Afghan peers were having difficulties. She wanted to help.

“My goal,” Zahra said, “is to advocate for those who are in need and be a voice for others.”

Then they realized that what students really needed were English lessons.

They launched a program last summer that continued into the school year and offered about 100 middle and high school students English lessons for roughly seven hours a week. Altman said the program has a waitlist of 60 to 80 students.

Altman said he understands that the school system has limited resources. There are few employees who speak Dari or Pashto — the two major languages in Afghanistan — leaving students with stronger English skills, like Zahra, to act as interpreters for some of their peers in class.

“Behind her there’s a whole bunch of students, some are thriving, but many are not,” he said. “She shows the potential, if you had a really good student who got really good support, [of] what the system could do.”

On Saturday morning, Zahra stood at the front of a room at William Ramsay Recreation Center, interpreting for Altman as they addressed and praised students who completed the tutoring program this year. A couple of students in the course improved their reading by five levels over the year, they said. On average, students advanced by about 2.9 levels.

“Some of you guys might be wondering, what is the future of my child in their education?” Altman said, addressing parents.

He pointed to Zahra and her close friend, Hosai Rasuli, whom she worked with to start the language program and who is also heading to college on a full scholarship. “We are really excited to see more in the coming years,” Altman said.

Zahra said she felt more proud of the success of the other students than she did of her own. Seeing their improvement, she said, made her feel like she is actually making a difference.

Zahra and Hosai also worked together on other projects, including starting a high school club for Afghan students and creating a short documentary about the experiences of fleeing Afghanistan and the education restrictions that girls in the country still face. Dozens of people attended the documentary’s premiere at George Mason University in January.

“So many people were inspired coming out of that,” Altman said. “Her goal was to give a voice to those people, to inspire people to take action. And I think that’s ultimately what happened.”

It was Altman who nominated Zahra for the White House’s Girls Leading Change award. In October, Zahra and her parents spent the day at the White House as first lady Jill Biden celebrated 15 young women leaders from across the country. It made her feel as though she had finally found a home in the United States.

“I’m an immigrant and I have been chosen to go to the White House,” she said. “It just made me feel like maybe I’m not just an immigrant, but also part of this community.”

Earlier in the school year, Zahra wove through the crowded hallway at Alexandria City High, turned into her classroom, flipped open her Chromebook and patiently waited for class to begin.

“Don’t ever think that because of your journey to this place, that you don’t belong at a four-year university,” teacher John Humphrey told the class.

Humphrey was one of Zahra’s closest mentors at school. During her freshman year — which was conducted virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic — Humphrey said Zahra would stay on Zoom through her lunch break nearly every day. The two would chat, giving Zahra an opportunity to work on her English.

Humphrey said Zahra has become a role model for Afghan students. He has heard students say they want to join the School Board because that was what Zahra did. He sees her paving a path for others.

It was Humphrey’s class that in part helped Zahra prepare for college. She’s headed to Williamsburg with a full-tuition scholarship from the Posse Foundation. She plans to study political science and international relations and hopes to one day be elected to Congress.

On the morning of her graduation, Zahra stood in a classroom waiting with other students to board a bus to the ceremony. Hosai pushed Zahra’s long hair behind her shoulders to get a better look at her friend.

Zahra wore cords for the various clubs she was in and a stole with the Afghan flag on one side and the American flag on the other. The moment felt so bittersweet. She was so excited for the next chapter but nervous to leave her home again.

Getting ready, she adjusted her cap. It was covered in red glitter with silver butterflies and a special message: “Let your dreams be your wings.”

For this student, helping Afghan peers succeed fulfills another dream
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