In recent weeks there has been an alarming increase in the rate of deportations to Afghanistan by several governments. In some countries, such as Iran and Pakistan, the expulsion of Afghans has occurred on a massive scale, affecting millions. These deportations are taking place in light of substantial evidence that conditions in Afghanistan continue to deteriorate and the fact that these deportations are violations of international refugee and human rights law, not least because the crime against humanity of gender persecution is evidently taking place inside Afghanistan.
In July 2025, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders for the crime against humanity of gender persecution. In October 2024 the European Union’s Court of Justice ruled that any Afghan woman should be assumed to be subject to persecution if she returns to her country of origin. In June 2025, the United Nations General Assembly “overwhelmingly” adopted a resolution focusing on the deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan. The Resolution specifically called attention to the “dire economic, humanitarian and social conditions, persistent violence and the presence of terrorist groups, the absence of political inclusivity and representative decision-making, as well as violations and abuses of human rights, including those of women, girls and persons belonging to minorities since the takeover by the Taliban.” This resolution calls for an end to the intolerable restrictions on the human rights of women and girls, which hinder their enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms, including access to education, employment, and health services; freedom of movement; and full, equal, and meaningful participation in public life. The text of the Resolution indicates the UN General Assembly’s understanding that the conditions in Afghanistan are not entirely safe for repatriation at this time, but that host countries should be supported in assisting Afghan refugees.
Despite this, deportations of people from Afghanistan and the removal of their protected status have continued in different countries. In Iran alone, over one million Afghans and people of Afghan origin born in the country have been subjected to expulsion through various forms of coercion or violence over the course of just a few months, and the number continues to grow. Pakistan has also made conditions intolerable for Afghans, leading to the involuntary return of hundreds of thousands of Afghans in recent years, as documented by the UN. Türkiye continues to deport Afghans. Additionally, Germany deported 81 Afghans in July 2025.
The 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the basis of international refugee law, provides a refugee rights to be protected from forcible return or refoulment. Refoulment is further prohibited in the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Refoulment is considered to be part of customary international law therefore, states have an obligation, regardless of whether they are parties or not to the Refugee Convention to respect the principle of non-refoulment. Returning women and girls, in particular, to a situation where a crime against humanity is occurring on a national scale is a clear breach of non-refoulement obligations as well as morally unconscionable.
In light of UN Resolution A/79/L.100, and considering the ICC arrest warrants, the ECJ ruling and the principle of non-refoulment, the undersigned organizations urge governments around the world to immediately stop all deportations of refugees, asylum seekers, and those with lawful status to Afghanistan given the horrific conditions which exist in the country as a result of the Taliban control. The undersigned organizations particularly call on all countries to recognize Afghan women and girls as refugees based on the well-founded risk of persecution they face, and to refrain from returning them to Afghanistan, where they are at risk under Taliban rule.
Signatories:
- Afghan Women activists Coordinating Body
- Afghan Women Coordination Umbrella (AWCU)
- Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization
- Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organisation (ALO)
- AHRDO
- Ahwazi human rights activist / Karim Dahimi
- All Human Rights for All in Iran
- Displaced International (DI)
- Ariana Legal Association (ALA)
- AWLM
- Azadi Network
- Azerbaijan Democracy and Development Association (ODJAQ)
- Balochistan Human Rights Group (BHRG)
- Bramsh( Balochistan Women Voice)
- Campaign to Free Political Prisoners in Iran (CFPPI)
- Coalition for Genocide Response
- Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain
- DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era)
- European Organization for Integration e.V
- Feminine Solidarity for Justice organization FSJO
- Frankie Vetch
- GAMCOTRAP
- Hami, Women Empowerment Organization
- HOVIAT – Women Identity
- hūmānus
- Indonesian Legal Aid Association for Justice
- International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute
- International Coalition of Sites of Conscience
- Iranian Justice Collective (IJC)
- Justice Beyond Borders
- Kurdpa Human Rights Organization
- Mesopotamia Observatory of Justice (Mojust)
- One Law for All
- Rasank
- Rawadari
- Representative of the Afghan Civil Society Complex in Vela
- Rights Monitor
- Siamak Pourzand Pourzand (SPF)
- Sultan Kawija e Noor youth social organization
- Syrian center for legal studies and research
- The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA)
- University of Amsterdam
- Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO)
- Victims Families for Transitional Justice
- Watch65
- Women Living Under Muslam Laws:Transnational National Solidart Networktwork
- Women’s Voices Now/Heidi Basch-Harod
- WUNRN – Women’s UN Report Network
- جنبش ترکتبار افغانستان
- جنبش زنان تورکتبار افغانستان
- سازمان حمایت از قربانيان -VPO
End
