Pakistan: Call to Protect Afghan Refugees

Human Rights Watch wrote today to Ruud Lubbers, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, on the eve of his arrival in Pakistan. In the letter, Human Rights Watch expressed concern about reports that the High Commissioner was actively seeking a reassessment of the refugee status of up to 1.5 million residing in camps in Pakistan and their repatriation to Afghanistan. Human Rights Watch argued that security conditions and human rights practices in Afghanistan are far from acceptable and said that a repatriation program would necessitate proper screening mechanisms in Pakistan and Afghanistan to determine whether it is safe for refugees to return and monitoring of the treatment of those who have returned. The organization also expressed concern that Pakistani authorities are preventing UNHCR from registering new arrivals in the Jalozai refugee camp, and have announced their intention to forcibly repatriate those who have not been recognized as refugees. Human Rights Watch called on the High Commissioner to negotiate for full and unimpeded UNHCR access to the refugees in the camp.