UN expert says Afghanistan unsafe for return of many refugees

Richard Bennett, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, warned in Lahore that deporting Afghan refugees exposes them to serious human rights risks.

Speaking at the Asma Jahangir Conference, Bennett said Afghanistan remains unsafe for many returnees, especially women and girls facing severe restrictions on education and employment.

He added that journalists, human rights defenders, former officials, and ethnic and religious groups face threats, harassment, and arbitrary detention upon returning to the country.

Bennett noted that over two million Afghans returned or were forced back last year, including hundreds of thousands from Pakistan, often out of fear rather than voluntary choice.

He also warned that returning families severely disrupt children’s education, increasing risks of early marriage, trafficking, and exploitation among vulnerable communities already facing hardship.

Afghanistan continues to suffer from deep humanitarian challenges, including widespread food insecurity, prolonged drought, economic collapse, and shrinking civic space affecting millions nationwide.

Humanitarian agencies say economic hardship and insecurity continue to drive migration, while neighboring countries face mounting pressure managing large refugee populations amid political and economic strains.

Bennett urged regional governments to respect international obligations and protect vulnerable Afghans, warning forced returns could worsen Afghanistan’s ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis.

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