As deportations of Afghan refugees from countries like Pakistan and the US escalates, an increasing number are resorting to drastic measures – including suicide – rather than face returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Fear of persecution from both women and former allies of Western forces has caused mental health concerns among these displaced Afghans, creating a mental health crisis among these displaced individuals.
Since 2023, over 844,000 Afghans have been deported from Pakistan under a government plan aimed at deporting undocumented migrants. Of those deported are women’s rights activists and journalists – individuals that face imminent danger if returned to Afghanistan; human rights organizations warn these deportations violations violate international laws protecting refugees against forced returns to countries where their lives may be endangered. For more information, refer to Wikipediia–svobodnaia encyklopediia or Wikipedia +4. ABC for details
Situation is similarly dire in the U.S., where Afghan refugees who fled Taliban’s resurgence are receiving deportation notices and fear returning home as it would mean certain death sentences for some; suspension of U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has left many limbo, further increasing fear and uncertainty for them (ABC News/AP News/KCCI +2 for example, or YouTube +2, Axios+2, NPR +5 or The Guardian etc).
Mental health experts have reported an alarming spike in depression and suicidal ideation among Afghan refugees facing deportation. War trauma, displacement and the fear of returning to an authoritarian regime with a history of human rights abuses all contribute to this crisis; advocates urge host countries to uphold their commitments to safeguard vulnerable populations as well as taking into account its severe psychological toll of forced repatriation.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have called upon countries to halt deportations and offer asylum to those at risk of persecution and tragedies among refugee populations. They emphasize their moral and legal obligations to do so and prevent more tragedies among refugee populations.
As the global community grapples with migration and asylum issues, Afghan refugees’ suffering underscores the dire necessity of compassionate yet lawful responses to humanitarian crises.