Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has expressed concern over the rising forced deportations of Afghan asylum seekers from regional countries and some European states. In a post on X, he stressed that Afghanistan is not a “safe country” for the return of migrants, warning that those forcibly returned face risks of abuse, detention, torture, hunger, and other serious threats. Bennett also said that deportations of Afghans from neighbouring countries and even from farther afield, including Europe, are increasing, describing the trend as a growing human rights concern. He urged all states to comply with their international human rights obligations. The remarks come as thousands of Afghan migrants have been returned daily from Iran and Pakistan in recent weeks, a process that human rights organisations say is placing significant pressure on the humanitarian situation inside Afghanistan. At the same time, reports have emerged of possible discussions and consultations by some European institutions with the Taliban regarding migration management and the return of asylum seekers, a development that has triggered further rights concerns and criticism.
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