As security forces face a wave of violence prompted by a frenetic Taliban attack, Afghanistan has urged European countries to postpone forced deportations of Afghan migrants for the next three months.
The country is in a state of emergency as insurgents seize territory across the countryside, stretching government forces and resulting in a new wave of internally displaced families, which has been worsened by a new epidemic of Covid-19.
“The Taliban terrorist group’s escalation of violence in the country, as well as the spread of the third wave of (Covid-19), have caused a great deal of economic and social unrest, causing concerns and challenges for the people,” said Afghanistan’s refugees and repatriation ministry in a statement on Saturday.
“The government’s decision emphasizes the importance of host nations refraining from forcibly deporting Afghan refugees… over the next three months,” the ministry said, adding that the return of Afghans from Europe was concerning.
According to the United Nations Refugee Agency, Afghanistan has about 2.5 million registered refugees in 2018, making it the world’s second-largest refugee population.
The great majority live in Pakistan, with Iran and Europe following closely behind.
According to UN data, more than 570 Afghan refugees returned to the nation willingly between January and March this year, with UN assistance, but just six arrived from outside Pakistan and Iran.
According to Eurostat, the EU’s statistics agency, Afghans make up a significant portion of EU asylum applicants, with 44,190 first-time applications out of a total of 416,600 last year.
Last month, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi warned that after foreign forces leave Afghanistan, Europe should prepare for a new influx of migrants.
Earlier this year, some EU countries decided to grant shelter to Afghans who had served with Western soldiers and are facing Taliban retaliation.
On Sunday, the health ministry in Afghanistan reported more than 1,000 instances of Covid-19.
Since the outbreak, about 135,000 illnesses and more than 5,700 deaths have been documented, with the country relying on international donations to vaccinate its citizens.
