UK Reviewing Policy On Returning Afghan Asylum Seekers

In a statement on Saturday, April 25, the Taliban foreign ministry said reports indicate Afghans in Qatar awaiting US visas are being asked to choose between returning home or relocating to a third country.

The ministry said Afghanistan is “the shared home of all Afghans” and invited those abroad to return, assuring them they can do so with confidence.

It added that those wishing to travel elsewhere could do so later through “legal and dignified” means.

The Taliban also said they are ready to cooperate with all countries under bilateral consular frameworks to protect Afghan citizens’ rights.

It insisted that “no one currently faces security threats in Afghanistan” and that no one needs to leave due to insecurity.

Possible relocation to Congo

The Trump administration is reportedly considering relocating Afghan refugees to third countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, after halting US resettlement programmes.

Reports say Afghan nationals are currently barred from travelling to the United States under these policies.

Around 1,100 Afghan refugees, including interpreters, former special forces members and families of US partners, are waiting in As Sayliyah camp in Qatar for humanitarian visas.

US officials have indicated plans to close the camp, while Reuters reported that Afghan refugees there were offered money to return to Afghanistan.

A senior US official said Washington is negotiating with third countries to relocate them, adding that keeping refugees indefinitely in the Qatar camp is “not a viable solution”.

However, the US has not officially confirmed any plan to transfer refugees to Congo.

Concerns over reprisals

International organisations have repeatedly warned that returning Afghan refugees to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is unsafe.

The United Nations says groups such as women, human rights activists, journalists, former security personnel and officials could face serious risks if they return.

An investigation by Afghanistan International found that dozens of former soldiers and government employees were killed after being deported from Iran.

In recent years, many returnees from Iran and Pakistan have reportedly been detained or imprisoned by the Taliban, with multiple reports of killings of former security personnel.

Amir Khan Muttaqi made the remarks at a meeting in Kabul, describing recent talks in Urumqi between Taliban and Pakistani representatives as positive, but stressing that relations between neighbours are highly sensitive and must be handled responsibly and in line with ethical and religious principles.

He also criticised some Taliban-affiliated social media users, saying inexperienced young people were sharing content that could be harmful rather than beneficial.

Speaking at the ministry’s diplomacy institute, he said personal grievances should not influence major national interests and warned against promoting “immature ideas”.

Muttaqi added that relations with neighbouring countries require prudence, care and obedience to the Taliban leader.

Despite a relative easing of tensions following the Urumqi talks, some Taliban officials continue to make strong statements against Pakistan.

Among them is Noorullah Noori, Taliban minister of border and trible affairs, who has previously issued threats against Pakistan, including remarks about targeting cities such as Islamabad and Lahore with drones, and rejecting the Durand Line as a recognised border.

Muttaqi appeared to criticise such rhetoric, warning that unchecked statements could lead to “anarchy” and risk destabilising society, while again stressing the importance of discipline within the group.

He also said he had recently visited several provinces and claimed there are currently no active opposition forces in Afghanistan.

However, groups such as the National Resistance Front and the Afghanistan Freedom Front have occasionally reported attacks on Taliban positions, some of which have been confirmed by the United Nations.

In a statement released on Friday, the Barcelona City Council highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, systemic human rights violations and widespread restrictions on fundamental freedoms, particularly affecting women, girls and minorities.

The council said the persistent pattern of violence against the Hazara community could, under international law, amount to serious international crimes, including crimes against humanity and a risk of genocide.

The declaration condemned all forms of violence based on ethnic and religious identity against Hazaras and called for an end to impunity for those responsible.

It stressed that the international community has a responsibility to act urgently to prevent further abuses and protect civilians.

The council also emphasised victims’ rights to truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-repetition, and expressed support for Hazara asylum seekers.

It urged international bodies to establish or strengthen independent mechanisms to investigate and document crimes against Hazaras, prosecute perpetrators in international courts and take immediate measures to prevent further violence.

The council called on the United Nations and the European Union to play a more active role in protecting civilians and supporting human rights in Afghanistan.

It said defending human dignity, justice and the protection of vulnerable minorities is part of the city’s commitments, warning that inaction could lead to further irreparable tragedies.

The statement follows several rounds of meetings between Hazara political and civil society activists and political parties and members of the Catalan parliament.

Officials at the meeting stressed that Afghanistan should be free from war, terrorism and narcotics, and voiced support for an independent, neutral and peaceful Afghanistan.

Russia’s foreign ministry said on Friday, April 24, that the meeting served as a consultative session among SCO member states.

According to the statement, participants reaffirmed support for an Afghanistan free of terrorism, conflict and drug trafficking.

The ministry added that discussions also covered prospects for pragmatic dialogue with the Taliban, resuming the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and other mechanisms of engagement.

Nurlan Yermekbayev, SCO Secretary-General, had earlier said Afghanistan remains under close monitoring by SCO members, given its impact on regional stability and shared borders with some countries.

The SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group has been inactive since the Taliban’s return to power, but its revival is now under discussion.

Vladimir Putin, president of Russia previously expressed support for restarting the group, saying it could help stabilise Afghanistan.

Pakistan foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, has also called for its revival.

Iran conflict

SCO deputy foreign ministers also discussed the situation involving Iran, expressing concern over rising tensions linked to what they described as aggressive actions by the United States and Israel.

They called for a swift political and diplomatic resolution to the conflict.

Participants further stressed the importance of a fair, multipolar world order based on the United Nations, respect for cultural diversity and equal cooperation among nations.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, founded in 2001, includes Russia, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Iran and Uzbekistan, with Belarus joining in July 2024.

Afghanistan and Mongolia are observer states, while several countries, including Turkiye and Saudi Arabia, are dialogue partners.

According to a statement from the Taliban governor’s office in Badakhshan on Thursday, April 23, Khurshid Adinezoda and Nazarali, first secretary of Tajikistan’s embassy in Afghanistan, met Mohammad Ismail Ghaznawi.

The Tajik diplomats emphasised effective border management and strengthening security in frontier areas.

Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan, have voiced concerns about security threats along their borders since the Taliban returned to power.

Tajik authorities had earlier said they were building military facilities in border areas with China’s support.

In recent months, several Chinese nationals have been killed in border area between Afghanistan and Tajikistan, with Tajik officials saying the attacks largely originated from Afghan territory.

At a regional meeting in Guliston, Tajikistan, border officials from Commonwealth of Independent States countries also expressed concern over the impact of Afghanistan’s unstable political, military and economic situation on Central Asian border security.