Women’s Freedom Movement Demands End to Afghan Refugee Detentions in Pakistan, Calls for Global Action

May 13, 2025: The Women’s Freedom Movement has issued an urgent appeal to the Pakistani government, demanding an immediate halt to the detention of Afghan refugees, particularly women, children, journalists, and human rights defenders. The appeal, reported by Khaama Press News Agency, underscores growing international concern over the treatment of Afghan nationals who fled their homeland to escape the Taliban’s oppressive regime.

In a statement released on Monday, the Afghan Women’s Freedom Movement expressed deep alarm at the deteriorating conditions facing refugees in Pakistan. Many of these individuals, already traumatized by their experiences in Afghanistan, are now confronted with the threat of arrest, abuse, and deportation. The movement emphasized that these actions not only violate human rights but also place vulnerable populations at even greater risk.

Calling on Pakistani authorities, the movement demanded an immediate cessation of detentions and urged the extension of visas to provide temporary security and legal protection for Afghan refugees. The organization highlighted that humanitarian assistance and legal safeguards are urgently needed to prevent further suffering.

The statement also called upon international organizations and host countries to take proactive steps to ensure Afghan refugees are not forcibly returned to a country where their safety cannot be guaranteed. The movement stressed that silence in the face of such human rights violations equates to complicity, urging the global community to act with urgency and compassion.

Reiterating the principle that refugee protection is a fundamental human right, the Women’s Freedom Movement called for increased international attention to this escalating crisis. It appealed for coordinated humanitarian efforts to ensure the dignity, safety, and well-being of Afghan refugees are preserved.