**Summary: Afghan Women’s Rights Activists Face Deportation from Pakistan**
More than 50 prominent female Afghan women’s rights activists in Pakistan are at risk of deportation back to Afghanistan, where they fear imprisonment or death under Taliban rule.
### Who Are the Affected Activists?
– Over 50 female activists and human rights defenders from Afghanistan are currently sheltering in Pakistan.
– These women have fled persecution for advocating women’s rights and education.
### What Is Happening?
– The Pakistan government has initiated a policy to deport millions of Afghan nationals amid deteriorating relations with Afghanistan and increased militant attacks.
– Since September 2023, at least 844,499 Afghan nationals have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan, where they face a “real risk of persecution by the Taliban.”
### When Did This Start?
– Deportations began in September 2023, following heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
### Where Are They Now?
– Many activists, including Humaira Alim, are hiding in cities like Islamabad and Rawalpindi to avoid arrest by police, who are reportedly conducting door-to-door searches.
### Why Are They at Risk?
– The Pakistani government has labeled Afghan nationals as “terrorists” and “traitors,” exacerbating their vulnerability.
– Activists like Alim have received threats from the Taliban, prompting them to flee to Pakistan for safety.
### Key Facts:
– Humaira Alim, a women’s rights activist, fled to Pakistan in December 2022 after receiving threats during her pregnancy.
– Alim describes her situation as an “awful nightmare,” highlighting the routine harassment faced by Afghan nationals in Pakistan.
– She fears that returning to Afghanistan would mean death due to her activism.
### Conclusion
The situation for Afghan women’s rights activists in Pakistan is dire, with deportation looming and threats from the Taliban. What can be done to protect these brave individuals from returning to a regime that endangers their lives?
### FAQs:
**Q: What risks do Afghan women’s rights activists face if deported back to Afghanistan?**
A: They face imprisonment, torture, or death under Taliban rule due to their activism for women’s rights and education.
