‘Principle of non -rejection also applies to the condemned’
Afghan must not be repatriated to their country, in particular those at risk of “persecution” or “torture”, urged the UN after Germany expelled on Friday 81 Afghan sentenced by the courts.
“The high commissioner of the United Nations for human rights Volker Turk asks for the immediate suspension of the forced repatriation of all refugees and asylum seekers Afghan, in particular those at risk of persecution, arbitrary possession or torture at the time of repatriation,” said the Ravina Shamdasani spokesman in a press conference in Ginevra.
“This must be a moment of solidarity with the Afghan people,” he said, underlining that the situation in the country, where the Taliban resumed power in August 2021, “is extremely serious”. Afghan may have to face violations of human rights on their return, but “there is also the humanitarian situation”, with “70% of the Afghan population who lives in poverty”, observed Shamdasani. Countries “must guarantee that repatriations in Afghanistan are volunteers, safe, dignified and compliant with international law”, he insisted.
Shamdasani explained that the principle of “non -rejection” also applies to people sentenced by the courts.
