FRJが加盟しているアジア太平洋難民の権利ネットワーク（APRRN）が、現在のアフガニスタン情勢を鑑み、アフガニスタン国内外で避難を余儀なくされている人々の保護を求める緊急ステイトメントを発表しました。

“URGENT STATEMENT: APRRN calls for concerted efforts to ensure protection during displacement in and from Afghanistan”
https://aprrn.org/urgent-statement-aprrn-calls-for-concerted-efforts-to-ensure-protection-during-displacement-in-and-from-afghanistan/

一時庇護国での迅速な保護や第三国定住に向けた柔軟な取り組み、そして、アフガニスタン国内や周辺国に留まっている人々への支援、それぞれを集結して、包括的な取り組みができるよう、政府、国連機関、市民社会すべてのアクターに向けて協調的な対応を呼びかけています。
難民の保護については、難民条約をはじめとした国際人権法に則り、庇護を求める権利の保障、また、上陸/入国阻止を行わないことを含めて、難民を迫害の危険に直面する国への送還を禁止するノン・ルフールマン（non-refoulement）原則の遵守等を求めています。

URGENT STATEMENT: APRRN CALLS FOR CONCERTED EFFORTS TO ENSURE PROTECTION DURING DISPLACEMENT IN AND FROM AFGHANISTAN

For the full PDF version, click here.

BANGKOK, 20 August 2021: The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), a network of over 200 civil society organisations and individuals from 28 countries, is gravely concerned for the safety and security of the people of Afghanistan after the Taliban have gained political and military control over the country. Like all people, Afghan men, women, and children have a right to protection from persecution, to shelter, to education, and to seek asylum, among other rights. We urge countries in the region and the international community to ensure full respect for these rights in the face of these severe humanitarian challenges.

“The unfolding situation in Afghanistan is deeply concerning, causing major displacement within the country, as well as compelling many Afghans, to seek refuge across the region. Nations, such as Pakistan, Iran as well as those in the Asia Pacific region ought to be alert to the humanitarian crisis. Afghanistan’s friends, such as Australia and New Zealand, must help with the refugee influx by creating a special humanitarian program to provide a safe passage out of Afghanistan for those at risk of serious harm by the Taliban.” — Sitarah Mohammadi, Deputy Chair, APRRN

APRRN calls for all parties, including the Taliban, to comply with international humanitarian law and human rights. The right to seek asylum is a human right under multiple international instruments, including the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It applies regardless of whether a country has signed the 1951 Refugee Convention. States have obligations under customary international law to preserve cross-border access for civilians fleeing conflict and not forcibly return refugees. The principle of non-refoulement includes non-rejection at borders.

Decades of political upheaval, persecution, conflict, and violence in Afghanistan have contributed to 2.9 million internally displaced people and 2.2 million asylum seekers and refugees by the end of 2020.^[1] The withdrawal of international troops from Afghanistan and a rapid deterioration in the security and human rights situation in large parts of the country have led to increased civilian casualties^[2] and mounting uncertainties and fear for safety. These developments come as the country is already suffering under a drought, food insecurity, and amidst the COVID pandemic.^[3] Many Afghans from provinces under threat have moved internally and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance: in 2021 alone, over 550,000 people were internally displaced, including 330,000 children, with most of the displacement having occurred since May.^[4] Others with the means available are attempting to leave the country for nearby Pakistan and Iran, who have long hosted millions of people from Afghanistan with very limited support from the international community. Further destinations include Turkey, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

The Taliban take-over of Afghanistan raises serious concerns for the well-being and safety of Afghans remaining inside the country. While generalised violence threatens everyone, persecution is likely to target a wide range of Afghans. Women and girls experience heightened restrictions and risks ranging from sexual and gender-based violence, exclusion from education and public life, to targeted persecution of women rights activists.^[5] Other at-risk categories include Afghans that have worked to promote human rights, democracy, and education; academics, writers, journalists, and other media workers; women rights defenders, members and activists of the LGBTIQ+ community^[6], people who have worked in the service of foreign countries, as well as members of ethnic and religious minorities such as Sikh community and Shia Muslims, in particular the Hazara people.

To avoid the escalation of this humanitarian crisis in our region means to prepare for the reception of men, women, and children fleeing the country seeking safety and protection. However, to adequately respond to this protection crisis, the international community will need to contribute. Similarities to people fleeing Vietnam in the 1970s and 1980s after the US retreat are obvious. Like at the time, a comprehensive plan of action^[7] should be developed among countries of arrival, countries of origin, and third countries including orderly departure programs, assistance in host countries, and quick access to asylum procedures. Afghan nationals should be assumed eligible and in need of international protection; APRRN suggests for countries and UNHCR to consider prima facie determination. Civil society, the humanitarian community as well as the Afghan diaspora and refugee communities, themselves, stand ready to support and contribute to planning and implementation of programs and responses.

Recommendations

Countries of asylum

APRRN calls upon countries that host Afghan refugees and asylum seekers to:

• Ensure access and safe passage to Afghans seeking protection and/or wanting to claim asylum, especially, countries bordering Afghanistan will need to open borders and facilitate arrivals. The international community and donors should work with governments and civil society to provide resources to enable dignified and safe reception.
• Immediately halt the deportation or forced return of all Afghan nationals, refugees, and persons seeking asylum, regardless of whether their refugee status has been determined.
• Prepare for long-term protection of Afghans, allowing them access to protection from the host state and all rights associated with such status.

Resettlement countries

With developing countries already hosting over 80% of displaced people, responsibility-sharing is required. We call upon traditional resettlement countries, including the USA, countries of the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, to follow Canada’s lead in ensuring that vulnerable and at-risk Afghans are provided fast and unbureaucratic pathways to safety via an orderly departure program.

States hosting Afghan refugees on temporary or limited protection visas should extend these visas indefinitely and expand family reunification quotas and programs. This is an extraordinary situation and should be treated as such; increased support for Afghans should not mean decreased support for other vulnerable refugees and asylum seekers.

Donor countries

Resettlement alone is unlikely to address the displacement and insecurity of most Afghans. APRRN calls upon donor countries to contribute to the protection of Afghans by supporting humanitarian assistance to those remaining in Afghanistan and in developing countries, including through support to local and refugee-led organisations, who must ensure that help reaches those most affected.

The current situation in Afghanistan did not come out of nowhere, historic actions and inaction of many actors played a role. It is important to realise that a crisis of protection and rights will eventually spillover. Genuine steps are needed now to address the situation.

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The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) is a network of over 200 civil society organisations and individuals from 28 countries committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific region. APRRN aims to advance the rights of refugees and other people in need of protection through joint advocacy, capacity strengthening, resource sharing, and outreach. While APRRN statements are prepared in consultation with members, they do not necessarily reflect the views of all APRRN members.

Media Contacts:

Sitarah Mohammadi, Deputy Chair, APRRN, Email: sitarah_m@outlook.com

Lars Stenger, Interim Secretary General, APRRN, Email: lars@aprrn.org