United Nations experts have called on Pakistan to stop the forced deportation of Afghans, particularly women and unaccompanied children, and to assess each person’s circumstances individually before deportation.
The experts expressed concern over the forced return of Afghans on Friday, September 18, saying Pakistan should identify people at risk of persecution, torture, and serious human rights violations before making any decision to deport them.
They said a transparent and accessible process should be established so that at-risk Afghans can seek protection and remain protected from deportation while their cases are being reviewed.
The UN experts also expressed concern over the return of unaccompanied Afghan children, saying Afghanistan lacks adequate mechanisms to receive, support, and protect them.
They also called on developed countries to provide political and financial support to countries hosting Afghans, helping create opportunities for resettlement and safe pathways for Afghans at risk.
The UN experts added that between July 10 and August 27, 2026, around 127,344 Afghans entered Afghanistan from Pakistan, at least 14,186 of whom were forcibly returned.
Around 38,388 women and children were among those who returned.
