The Uncertain Door: Afghanistan's Complex Relationship With Refugees

Afghanistan has been facing a refugee crisis for over forty years, with citizens forced to flee due to continuous wars, political persecution, and religious persecution. The first major wave of displacement occurred following the 1978 Saur Revolution and the 1979 Soviet invasion, with over 20% of the population fleeing the country by 1992. While many returned following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, the civil war in the 1990s caused another wave of displacement. Afghanistan is one of the largest refugee-producing countries, with over 8 million Afghans forced to flee their homes, creating a diasporic population of over 8.2 million across 103 countries.

The Islamic Republics of Iran and Pakistan have hosted the majority of Afghan refugees, with over 2 million registered Afghan refugees in these countries, who are provided access to national health and education services. Other countries that have accepted Afghan refugees include Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Mexico, Uganda, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Australia, India, and Switzerland.

The US has admitted Afghan refugees on humanitarian parole, a faster process than the standard refugee program

The US has a long history of admitting Afghan refugees, with the first wave of internal displacement and international migration occurring during the Soviet-Afghan war. Since then, the US has continued to accept Afghan refugees, with the most recent wave of refugees entering the country following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

In response to the Taliban's return to power, the Biden administration expanded its Afghan refugee program and created a new category for those who worked with US-based news outlets or non-governmental organizations. The US government also admitted Afghan refugees on humanitarian parole, a faster process than the standard refugee program.

Humanitarian parole is a temporary legal permission granted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to individuals outside the US who have urgent humanitarian reasons to enter the country. This process is typically used for individuals who need to urgently come to the US to protect their lives from an emergency and is not intended to replace established refugee processing channels.

For Afghan nationals, the US government has utilized humanitarian parole as a way to quickly evacuate and admit those at risk due to their association with the US government or its allies. This includes individuals who worked with the US government, US-based media organizations, or non-governmental organizations, as well as their family members.

The process of applying for humanitarian parole can be complex and typically involves submitting various forms and supporting documents. Applicants are encouraged to work with an attorney or community organization to prepare their application. The approval rate for Afghan humanitarian parole applications has been relatively low, with most applications still pending as of early 2022.

While humanitarian parole provides a faster pathway to enter the US, it does not provide a direct path to lawful permanent residence or another immigration status. Individuals admitted on humanitarian parole are typically granted a temporary stay of up to two years and must take additional steps to adjust their status and remain in the country lawfully. This may include applying for asylum, seeking refugee status, or pursuing other immigration pathways such as Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) or family-based petitions.

The UK has prioritised women and girls, religious minorities, and those at most risk from the Taliban for resettlement

The UK has prioritised women and girls, religious minorities, and those most at risk from the Taliban for resettlement. This is part of the Afghan Citizens' Resettlement Scheme, which aims to welcome 5,000 Afghan refugees this year and resettle a total of 20,000 over the coming years.

The UK's prioritisation of these groups is due to the increased dangers they face under the Taliban regime. Women and girls, in particular, face severe restrictions on their appearances and freedom of movement, with the Taliban enforcing dress codes and limiting their access to education and employment. The Taliban has also banned women from working in the humanitarian response, further exacerbating the difficulties they face.

Religious minorities, such as Shia Hazaras, Sikhs, Hindus, and Christians, have also been targeted by the Taliban and face increased harassment and discrimination. The Taliban's strict interpretation of Hanafi jurisprudence, which forms the basis of the country's legal system, has led to the marginalisation and repression of these groups. This includes restrictions on their freedom of worship, access to education, and civil service positions.

The UK's resettlement scheme aims to provide sanctuary to those at risk of persecution and human rights abuses, offering them the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a safe and inclusive environment. By prioritising women, girls, and religious minorities, the UK is taking a stand against the Taliban's oppressive policies and helping to ensure the protection and well-being of these vulnerable groups.

Canada has said it will take in 20,000 refugees, with a focus on those in danger from the Taliban

Canada has a long history of taking in refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan. In August 2021, the Canadian government announced that it would resettle 20,000 Afghan refugees, focusing on those in danger from the Taliban, including women leaders, government workers, human rights defenders, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persecuted minorities. This was in addition to an earlier initiative to welcome thousands of Afghans who had worked with the Canadian government, such as interpreters and embassy staff, as well as their families.

The decision to accept more refugees came as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan's major cities, causing a surge in refugees and fear among those who had worked with Western governments or organizations. Canada's Immigration Minister, Marco Mendicino, stated that the country "will not stand idly by" as the situation in Afghanistan worsened. Canada has a history of participating in NATO missions in Afghanistan and has expressed a commitment to helping Afghans who supported its past missions.

The evacuation and resettlement process was not without challenges, with Canadian officials noting that the situation on the ground was "immense." Despite this, Canada deployed its forces to Afghanistan to assist in the evacuation efforts, and waived passport and COVID testing requirements to expedite the process. By August 19, 2021, Canada had already evacuated nearly 1,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals.

Canada's response to the Afghan refugee crisis was part of a broader international effort to assist those fleeing the country. Several European countries, including Spain, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, also worked to evacuate their embassy staff and Afghan nationals who had worked for them. The United States, which had a significant presence in Afghanistan, also led efforts to evacuate Afghans who had aided their war efforts.

The displacement of Afghans is not a new phenomenon and has been ongoing for decades due to continuous wars, political instability, and religious persecution in the country. Afghanistan is one of the largest refugee-producing countries, and its citizens have sought refuge in neighbouring countries like Pakistan, Iran, and India, as well as further afield in Europe and North America. However, the Taliban's takeover in 2021 exacerbated the situation, leading to a new wave of refugees and internally displaced people.

Germany has accepted some Afghan refugees, but has not specified numbers

Germany has a long history of accepting refugees from Afghanistan. In 2021, the country pledged to admit 25,000 Afghans deemed most at risk following the Taliban takeover in Kabul. This was in addition to the 5,000 people, most of them Afghans, who were flown out of Afghanistan by the German government in the same year.

Germany has also been a part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), which established special programs to allow thousands of Afghans to resettle in Europe. As of 2023, there are 377,000 Afghan citizens residing in Germany, making it the largest Afghan community in Europe and one of the biggest Afghan diaspora communities in the world.

However, Germany has not specified the exact number of Afghan refugees it will accept. In 2021, Chancellor Angela Merkel faced criticism for opening her country's borders to over a million migrants, most of them Syrians and Iraqis. Following the Taliban takeover, Merkel stated that her government was focused on ensuring Afghan refugees "have a secure stay in countries neighbouring Afghanistan."

In recent years, Germany has also evicted some Afghan refugees to make way for refugees from Ukraine. Hundreds of Afghans have been removed from their homes and relocated, often with little notice. This has led to concerns about the impact on their living conditions and social connections.

Despite not specifying numbers, Germany remains a significant destination for Afghan refugees, and its response to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan will be crucial in providing support and protection to those fleeing the country.

Turkey has been criticised for ramping up construction of a border wall to keep out migrants

Turkey has been criticised for ramping up the construction of a border wall to keep out migrants, specifically refugees from Afghanistan. Turkey hosts the largest number of refugees of any country in the world, with 3.6 million registered Syrian refugees and 320,000 persons of concern from other nationalities.

In 2021, Turkey began building a wall along its border with Iran to prevent a potential influx of Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban. Local media reported that a 155-kilometre stretch of a planned 241-kilometre wall had already been erected at the border. The wall consists of three-metre-high concrete slabs, with security towers and regular military patrols.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that his country would not become Europe's "refugee warehouse". However, human rights groups have criticised Turkey for cutting off one of the last escape routes for refugees, with more than 100,000 people becoming stuck at the Turkish-Syrian border.

Turkey's decision to build border walls has been described as a symbol of withdrawal and closure, and a contradiction given the country's criticism of "citadel Europe" and Israel's "wall of shame". The construction of the walls has been accompanied by a policy of resettlement, reinforcing the separation of the Kurds and obstructing longstanding economic and cultural relations between cities and families on either side of the border.

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