On April 20, 2025, dozens of Afghan refugees, human rights activists, and members of the Afghan community gathered in front of the European Parliament in Brussels to protest against the forced deportation, mistreatment, and looting of Afghan refugees by the Pakistani government. The demonstrators called on the international community, the European Union, and the United Nations to exert pressure on the Pakistani authorities to immediately end such inhumane and illegal practices.
Background:
In recent months, the Pakistani state has launched a widespread campaign against Afghan refugees, resulting in the forced eviction of thousands from their homes, arbitrary arrests, harassment, and the confiscation and looting of their personal property. These actions constitute a clear violation of international human rights standards, the Geneva Convention, and international refugee protection laws.
Protesters’ Demands:
1. Immediate end to forced deportations, harassment, and violence against Afghan refugees.
2. Launch of an independent international investigation into human rights violations in Pakistan.
3. Sanctions against Pakistani officials and entities directly involved in these violations.
4. Provision of international guarantees for the protection and safety of Afghan refugees.
Message to the International Community:
We, the Afghan refugees, urge the international community not to remain silent in the face of the ongoing injustices committed against us. Afghans deserve the fundamental right to safety and dignity—not to be treated as scapegoats for political or national agendas. The Pakistani government must be held accountable to its obligations under international law and must cease its inhumane treatment of refugees.
