TOFGHANA, 29 years old, Zahra Mousavi left her country to escape in Pakistan in 2022. It seemed like a safe refuge, today it is a new open -air prison: Lto his life In fact, he risks being broken for a stamp on a repatriation document. Since the Islamabad government began the mass deportation of Afghan refugees, for Zahra, as for the other sixty activists who have exposed themselves against the Taliban regime, the return to the homeland is expected. A journey that is equivalent to a death sentence.
The drama of Afghan activists in Pakistan at risk of deportation
“Due to high costs and rigid Pakistan visas policies I was unable to get a Visa valid for me and my family“, Zahra told the German broadcaster DW. The consequences were dramatic: «On February 22, the Pakistani police entered my house in civil clothes, led an intense search, and He arrested me and my little daughter, taking us to a detention field for deportation». The testimony continues: “We were held there in extremely hard conditions for two days and one night, and we were issued only after providing guarantees and thanks to the pressure of activists for human rights”.
A life in clandestinity
Zahra’s is not an isolated story. There are numerous sixties, the Afghan activists who live hidden, while Islamabad accelerates deportations to Afghanistan. Jamila ahmadi27 years old, It says that many of his companions have already been forcibly repatriated And he warns that their lives, as well as his, are in serious danger. “My activism, in particular my efforts for the formation and emancipation of women before taking the Taliban power, and my complaints about the Crimes of the Taliban have endangered me – confides Ahmadi. – If I were forced to return under the Taliban domain, for me it would have clearly been death».
The Pakistani government has launched a mass deportation program that threatens to postpone Afghan activists in the hands of the Taliban (Getty)
Afghan activists in Pakistan, visible and invisible scars
The wounds of Afghan activists in Pakistan, however, are not only psychological. «In February 2021 I was attacked, they fractured me about a leg – recalls Jamila. – And again, in September, we were brutally beaten by the Taliban ». The trauma of violence is now added to the anguish of deportation. «Unfortunately, for more than a month, the Pakistani police have made life difficult for refugees, including problems with visas and extensions. My visa expired on February 25, 2025. But it is impossible to extend it, “confesses the activist.
A forced mass exodus
Pakistan hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades. But in the last three years the relationships between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated. Islamabad is in anger with the Taliban authorities for the operations of Tehreek-and-Talyl Pakistan, a militant group formed in 2007 who conducted numerous attacks against the Pakistani security forces. And while the transfrontier tensions intensify, Islamabad He is carrying out a huge campaign to repatriate about 4 million Afghan who have crossed the border in the last four decades.
Human rights trampled
Legal experts and activists for refugees rights they denounced the severity of the deportation plans of the Pakistani governmentin particular when they concern Afghan women’s rights activists, precisely for what the return will entail for them. But while associations protest, Islamabad stressed that deportations are simply part of a 2023 campaign called “repatriation plan of illegal foreigners”. Specifying that “there is no specific category for activists among those who are deported”.
The desperate appeal to the world
Maria Noori, a 34 -year -old activist of Kabul, also at risk of deportation, launched a heartfelt appeal to the international communityto intervene and save the lives of Afghan activists who live in fear in Pakistan. «Being postponed to Afghanistan It would mean facing torture, captivity or even death. – he told DW – The international community must understand that deporting human rights activists, especially women, is a direct threat to our lives, and immediate actions are needed to protect us ». A criticism, not even under the point, to western governments for their inaction.
The hope that does not die
In this dramatic scenario, a ray of hope comes from Brazil. The Brazilian government declared itself available to grant humanitarian visas to these women. The Panahgah organization is working to make this transfer possiblebut funds are needed – about one and a half million dollars – to ensure a safe passage. For this two platforms, usually in competition, Avaaz And Change.org, they united forces in an unprecedented alliance, to save the lives of these women. The petition has already collected almost one million signatures all over the world, but that’s not enough. And so, together with other organizations such as Heartwork, Udhara And Food for Thought Afghanistanare pressing on the Pakistani government, so that the deportation of activists stop and grant the time necessary to find alternative solutions.
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