UNFPA, Preparing Afghan returnees for community reintegration through psychosocial support, 20 December 2022
“Dr. Yadgaar works as a Technical Manager for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) in the UNFPA-supported WFHS at the zero point camp in Spin Boldak, where Afghan returnees, mostly coming from the bordering Pakistan, are processed and receive various services from humanitarian agencies. The WFHS provides psychosocial support services to women and girls arriving at the camp, wanting to return to Afghanistan. About 40 to 45 Afghan families are crossing the border every month, according to local NGOs. While a number of them are deportees, the majority are voluntary returnees – some of them have been away from Afghanistan since their childhood.”
UNHCR, Afghanistan situation update, 4 December 2022
“With the borders to Central Asian States open to only those with valid visas, no influx of new arrivals from Afghanistan into Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan has been reported. Nevertheless, UNHCR and partners continue to focus on preparedness efforts while also supporting governments to meet the critical international protection needs of Afghan citizens already in the countries and advocating for safe access to territory.”
IOM (DTM), Movement in and out of Afghanistan Snapshot (16-30 November 2022), 8 December 2022 “[Covering 16 November to 30 November 2022]
The reporting period observed an increase in inflow movement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan, with 48,464 individuals compared to 46,605 during the previous two-week period. However, the outflows decreased from 14,895 to 11,354 during this reporting period.
Crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan decreased in both outflows and inflows, with an average of 7,763 outflows per day compared to 9,282 in the previous two-week period and an average of 7,199 inflows per day compared to 8,691 in the previous reporting period.”
[…] The movements from the Islamic Republic of Iran into Afghanistan increased from 46,605 in the previous two weeks to 48,464 during this reporting period. IOM assisted 9,294 returnees, of which 7,145 (77%) were male and 2,149 (23%) were female. During this reporting period, 50% (24,142) of all crossings of Afghan nationals from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Afghanistan were deportations. The remains of 80 Afghan nationals, who reportedly died due to accidents and natural causes, were repatriated during the reporting weeks. […] Movement towards the Islamic Republic of Iran decreased during the past two weeks, from 14,895 to 11,354. An average daily crossing of 757 people was reported, of which one out of five are of circular nature. A breakdown of available gender disaggregated data indicates that 78% were male and 22% were female. […]
Movements from Afghanistan into Pakistan increased when compared to the last two weeks and the reporting period saw a total of 116,439 crossings. Among the 32,039 individuals who crossed from Torkham, 6,773 were Pakistani nationals, 22,588 Afghan nationals with valid visas, 7 individuals with third country passport, 1,432 Afghan patients who required medical treatment in Pakistan, along with 1,239 who were attendants (person who accompanies a sick person/patient). Out of the total individuals, 71% were male and 29% female. Similarly to the inflow gender ratio, the percentage of female crossing through Torkham was higher (37%) compared to Chaman (22%).
[….] IDP ARRIVALS 1,804,363 Jan 2021 - Apr 2022 […] Arrival IDPs are Afghans who fled their communities of origin and have arrived in the assessed locations within Afghanistan as a result of, or in order to avoid, the effects of armed conflict, generalized violence, human rights violations, protection concerns, or natural and human-made disasters.
[…] “INDIVIDUALS RETURNED FROM ABROAD 1,092,692 Jan 2021 - Apr 2022 […] Afghans who have returned to the assessed locations after having spent at least six months abroad. This includes both documented and undocumented returnees.”
International Organization for Migration (IOM), MOVEMENTS IN AND OUT OF AFGHANISTAN 1 November to 15 November 2022, 24 November 2022
“The reporting period observed an increase in inflow movement between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Afghanistan, with 46,605 individuals compared to 43,068 during the previous two-week period. However, the outflows decreased from 18,332 to 14,895 during this reporting period.”
“Crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan decreased in both outflows and inflows, with an average of 9,282 outflows per day compared to 10,600 in the previous two-week period and an average of 8,691 inflows per day compared to 9,310 in the previous reporting period. “
“The movements from the Islamic Republic of Iran into Afghanistan increased from 43,068 in the previous two weeks to 46,605 during this reporting period. IOM assisted 8,576 returnees, of which 6,908 (81%) were male and 1,668 (19%) were female. During this reporting period, 49% (22,971) of all crossings of Afghan nationals from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Afghanistan were deportations. The remains of 56 Afghan nationals, who reportedly died due to accidents and natural causes, were repatriated during the reporting weeks”
“Movement towards the Islamic Republic of Iran decreased during the past two weeks, from 18,332 to 14,895. An average daily crossing of 993 people was reported, of which one out of five are of circular nature. A breakdown of available gender disaggregated data indicates that 86% were male and 14% were female.”
“During this reporting period, 130,365 crossings from Pakistan to Afghanistan were observed, averaging a daily inflow of 8,691 individuals. Of the 30,765 crossings at Torkham, 8,750 individuals were Pakistani nationals with Afghanistan visa, 17,232 Afghan nationals with valid passport and Pakistani visa, 3,991Afghan nationals with ACC/POR card holders and 709 undocumented individuals. Meanwhile, 83 people were deported during the reporting period. A majority of Afghan nationals returned from Pakistan after visiting family or conducting business. Similarly, Pakistani nationals travel to Afghanistan for business trips or family visits. The percentage of female crossing through Torkham was higher (37%) compared to Chaman (22%).”
“Movements from Afghanistan into Pakistan increased when compared to the last two weeks and the reporting period saw a total of 139,223 crossings. Among the 30,823 individuals who crossed from Torkham, 6,827 were Pakistani nationals, 21,415 Afghan nationals with valid visas, 15 individuals with third country passport, 1,376 Afghan patients who required medical treatment in Pakistan, along with 1,190 who were attendants (person who accompanies a sick person/patient). Out of the total individuals, 71% were male and 29% female. Similarly to the inflow gender ratio, the percentage of female crossing through Torkham was higher (37%) compared to Chaman (22%).”
“On 2nd November, undocumented Afghan travellers including women and children were arrested near the Shuro region in Afghanistan on the road to Karachi, Pakistan, and placed in jail. On 8th November, Afghanistan closed the border gate for pedestrians demanding the Pakistan authority restrict entry into Pakistan for Tazkhira holders. The gate was reopened after a few hours. On 13th November, Afghan and Pakistani forces exchanged fires at the border for approximately five minutes. Since this incident, the border were closed and continued to be closed.”
UNHCR, UNHCR Iran: Factsheet - August-October 2022, 23 November 2022
“It is estimated that some 2,000 individuals continue to make their way to Iran daily. Based on UNHCR estimates, a large number of all new arrivals are returned by the government through border areas. Smaller percentages include people who will continue moving to Turkey and the EU and those who chose to come to Iran for economic or family reasons before returning to Afghanistan on their own. UNHCR estimates that by the end of 2022, 274,000 new arrivals will remain in Iran and will need protection and assistance. Since January 2021, some 52,344 newly arrived Afghans have approached UNHCR’s receptions directly for support.”
UNHCR, Afghanistan Situation Regional Refugee Response Plan 2022 Mid-Year Report, 17 November 2022
“The humanitarian, economic, and human rights situation inside Afghanistan continues to deteriorate. No mass influx into neighbouring countries has been observed in 2022 through official regulated borders surrounding Afghanistan. Borders into the Islamic Republic of Iran remained officially closed for those trying to seek asylum and are only open for those with valid passports or visas, but Afghans continue making their way to Iran informally through unofficial border crossing points. To Pakistan, border entry at Torkham is limited to those with valid passports and visas. Exceptions may apply to those with critical medical conditions on humanitarian grounds at both Torkham and Chaman border crossings and those with Tazkiras from neighbouring districts at Chaman. Meanwhile, in Central Asia, borders are only open to visa holders. Across the region, a steady flow of new arrivals including via unofficial border crossings, continued which, cumulatively, has placed a significant additional burden on neighbouring host countries. There have also been voluntary returns to Afghanistan on a small scale.”
International Organization for Migration (IOM), MOVEMENTS IN AND OUT OF AFGHANISTAN 16 October to 31 October 2022, 10 November 2022
““From Islamic Republic of Iran.
The movements from the Islamic Republic of Iran into Afghanistan increased from 35,526 in the previous two weeks to 43,068 during this reporting period. IOM assisted 3,934 returnees, of which 2,610 (66%) were male and 1,324 (34%) were female. During this reporting period, 56% (23,997) of all crossings of Afghan nationals from the Islamic Republic of Iran to Afghanistan were deportations. The remains of 49 Afghan nationals, who reportedly died due to accidents and natural causes, were repatriated during the reporting weeks.
“To Islamic Republic of Iran
“Movement towards the Islamic Republic of Iran increased during the past two weeks, from 13,406 to 18,332. An average daily crossing of 1,146 people was reported, of which one out of five are of circular nature. A breakdown of available gender disaggregated data indicates that 87% were male and 13% were female.
“From Pakistan
“During this reporting period, 148,953 crossings from Pakistan to Afghanistan were observed, averaging a daily inflow of 9,310 individuals. Of the 28,253 crossings at Torkham, 7,888 individuals were Pakistani nationals with Afghanistan visa, 15,544 Afghan nationals with valid passport and Pakistani visa, 4,267 Afghan nationals with ACC/POR card holders and 521 undocumented individuals. Meanwhile, 33 people were deported during the reporting period. A majority of Afghan nationals returned from Pakistan after visiting family or conducting business. Similarly, Pakistani nationals travel to Afghanistan for business trips or family visits. The percentage of female crossing through Torkham was higher (37%) compared to Chaman (22%).
“To Pakistan
“Movements from Afghanistan into Pakistan increased when compared to the last two weeks and the reporting period saw a total of 169,601 crossings. Among the 32,001 individuals who crossed from Torkham, 7,347 were Pakistani nationals, 21,848 Afghan nationals with valid visas, 1,524 Afghan patients who required medical treatment in Pakistan, along with 1,282 who were attendants (person who accompanies a sick person/patient). There were no individuals with third country passport during this reporting period. Out of the total individuals, 71% were male and 29% female. Similarly to the inflow gender ratio, the percentage of female crossing through Torkham was higher (37%) compared to Chaman (22%).
“SPIN BOLDAK/CHAMAN
“On 20th October, the movements of laborers were restricted due to security concerns at the border. Border movements were also closed for an hour after a cross-firing incident between Afghanistan and Pakistan security forces over barbed wire. On 22nd October, laborers' movement were restricted due to resumption of COVID-19 vaccinations for incoming travellers at the Chaman border. The restriction were lifted on 23rd October and COVID- 19 vaccinations were not required for daily laborers.”
International Organization for Migration (IOM), DTM AFGHANISTAN RETURNEE LONGITUDINAL SURVEY (RLS), 31 October 2022
“Sixty-four per cent of interviewees said they felt they were able to continue to stay and live in Afghanistan. Among these participants, people who had returned from the EU (24%) were less likely to respond that they could stay in Afghanistan compared to people who had returned from Türkiye (70%).”
“Participants were also asked if they had the intention to migrate abroad in the next six months. Forty-seven per cent of respondents indicated that they would like to re-migrate in the next six months, this increased from 36 per cent in Round 7. Respondents who had returned from the EU (76%) were more likely to have intentions to re-migrate compared to respondents who had returned from Türkiye (43%).”
ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE, US Government, Announcement of Visa Restrictions in Response to the Repression of Women and Girls in Afghanistan, 11 October 2022
“Today I am announcing a visa restriction policy under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to restrict the issuance of visas for current or former Taliban members, members of non-state security groups, and other individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, repressing women and girls in Afghanistan through restrictive policies and violence. This includes discontinuing and/or restricting access to secondary or higher education for girls and women; preventing women’s full participation in the workforce and their ability to choose their careers; restricting women’s movement, expression, or privacy; as well as engaging in violence and harassment including unjust arrest and detention of women, girls, or their family members for noncompliance with discriminatory policies. Immediate family members of such persons may also be subject to these restrictions.
Despite public assurances that it would respect the human rights of all Afghans, the Taliban has issued and enforced a series of policies or edicts that effectively bar women and girls in Afghanistan from full participation in public life, including access to secondary education and work in most industries. As a grim example, for more than a year, Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are systemically barred from attending school beyond the sixth grade, with no return date in sight. We call on other governments to join us in taking similar actions and to continue to underscore a collective message that only a government in Afghanistan that represents all its people and protects and promotes the human rights of every individual could be considered legitimate. The United States strongly supports the Afghan people and remains committed to doing all we can to protect and promote the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Afghans, including women and girls.”
The Norwegian Country of Origin Information Centre Landinfo, Afghanistan: Departure and return after the Taliban seizure of power, 29 September 2022 [Original translated using google translation tools]
“In the new year in 2022, the airports were again operational after they were closed down after The Taliban's takeover of power. […] It has weekly flights to/from Kabul both to Islamabad, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Tehran. One Afghan source living in Kabul (conversation in Islamabad, March 2022) confirms that the private security company and security personnel from Qatar are responsible for security at Kabul airport. There are female employees who serve female passengers. According to the source, the Taliban is completely invisible at the airport both for those who leave and those who enter the country. This is also confirmed by an international journalist (conversation in Islamabad, March 2022). The journalist described the system at the airport as very effective, and there is not a Taliban in sight. Outside the airport and in the street scene, they are now everywhere.
After negotiations in the spring of 2022, Turkey was left out as a partner, and de facto the authorities contracted with the Abu Dhabi-based firm GAAC Solutions to operate the three largest airports in the country; Kabul, Herat and Kandahar (Abdulrazaq & Kakar 2022; Faiez 2022).Landinfo has no concrete knowledge of the possible presence of the Taliban at the airports after the agreement with GAAC Solutions comes into force. […]”
Al Jazeera, UN fails to reach agreement to extend Taliban travel ban waiver, 20 August 2022
“A United Nations waiver allowing 13 Afghan Taliban officials to travel abroad expired on Friday, as the Security Council failed to reach an agreement on whether to extend the travel exemptions. China and Russia have called for an extension, while the United States and Western nations have sought a reduced list of Taliban officials allowed to travel to protest against the Taliban’s rollback of women’s rights and failure to form an inclusive government as it promised. […]”
Amnesty International (Afghanistan), Afghanistan: Death in slow motion: Women and girls under Taliban rule, 27 July 2022
"In December 2021, the Ministry of Vice and Virtue issued guidance indicating that women must be accompanied by a mahram, or male chaperone, for journeys longer than 72km. Taliban official Zabiullah Mujahid said in a previous interview that the Taliban’s mahram requirements would not apply for daily activities such as traveling to work or school. However, this statement was undermined by a decree issued on 7 May 2022 by the Ministry of Vice and Virtue that required women to cover their faces in public and stipulated that they should not leave their homes unless necessary. The Taliban have also instructed airlines to prevent women from flying domestically and internationally without a mahram and they have ordered driving instructors in Herat to cease giving driving lessons and licenses to women."
"Taliban restrictions on movement also have the potential to pressure women and girls to enter into marriage, whether by their own choice or as a result of pressure or coercion from their family members. One woman who was arbitrarily arrested for being in public with a man who was not her mahram, explained: “If you want to go outside, you have to have a father, brother or husband with you… A father can’t always go out with the daughter, a brother might be busy... This will pressure girls and women to marry, just so that they always have a mahram.”"
Al Jazeera, UN scraps travel ban waiver for two Taliban education officials, 21 June 2022
“The United Nations has effectively banned two Taliban officials from travelling internationally in response to the harsh restrictions the group has imposed on Afghan women and girls, diplomats have said. Travel exemptions permitting 15 Taliban officials to go abroad for talks and negotiations were set to expire on Monday.”
Al Jazeera, What’s at stake as UN Taliban travel ban waiver set to expire?, 20 June 2022
“A waiver that exempts top Taliban officials from a long-standing United Nations travel ban and related sanctions is set to expire, with rights groups saying the restrictions should be reimposed based on the group’s oppression of women since taking power last year. The United States has not given an official stance on the current extension, which reportedly is set to be discussed by the UN Security Council (UNSC) next week. It officially expires on Monday [27 June 2022].”