Amnesty International urges halt to Afghan refugee returns

KABUL (Reuters) - The human rights group Amnesty International urged European nations on Thursday to stop sending Afghans who do not qualify for asylum back to their “deeply unsafe” home country, saying the policy risked causing serious harm to those affected.

The call comes after a steady rise in violence over recent years as the Taliban has gained ground across the country and cities including the capital Kabul have been hit by a wave of suicide attacks.

“Amnesty International is calling on all European countries to implement a moratorium on returns to Afghanistan until they can take place in safety and dignity,” the group said in a report issued on Thursday.

It said the Afghan government should not cooperate with sending people back, despite its dependence on foreign aid.

The report follows a sharp increase in the number of Afghans returned from Europe, either as a result of forced deportation or “assisted voluntary return”. It said the total almost tripled from 3,290 to 9,460 between 2015 and 2016. - More, Reuters

Amnesty International urges halt to Afghan refugee returns