Deported Afghans Describe Pakistani Prisons as ‘Torture Chambers’
A growing number of Afghan migrants deported through the Spin Boldak crossing have come forward with disturbing reports of abuse and mistreatment in Pakistani prisons. These deportees describe the detention centers not merely as holding facilities but as “torture chambers,” where physical violence and inhumane conditions are routine.
Raz Mohammad, one of the deportees, recounted a brutal incident: “They took my phone in prison. When the soldiers saw I had it, they took me to a room and four of them beat me so severely that my chest still hurts. They treated all Afghans the same way.” This testimony highlights the widespread nature of the abuse faced by Afghan detainees.
Forced Confiscation of Valuables and Harsh Living Conditions
In addition to physical abuse, deportees report that Pakistani police forcibly confiscate valuable belongings, including cash and personal items. Rozi Mohammad, recently deported via Spin Boldak, said, “After being arrested by the Pakistani police, they took my valuables and cash by force. During my detention, I was also tortured.”
Kamran, another deportee, painted a grim picture of prison life: “We were thrown into prisons where living conditions amounted to torture. I had to sleep on the ground. There was no food or water, and we weren’t even allowed to pray.” Such conditions violate basic human rights and dignity, compounding the trauma experienced by these migrants.
Official Figures Highlight Large-Scale Deportations
Local authorities confirm a significant increase in forced deportations of Afghan migrants from Pakistan. Since April 1, 49,856 Afghan migrants have been deported through the Spin Boldak crossing alone. Mohammad Idris, head of the migrant registration committee at a refugee camp in Kandahar’s Takhta Pul district, stated, “Since the beginning of April, 49,856 migrants and 3,650 prisoners have been returned from Pakistan. All these prisoners were poor individuals; some were even deported without clothes.”
UNHCR Data Corroborates Mass Deportations
Supporting these local reports, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has documented that over 178,000 Afghan migrants have been deported from Pakistan in the past one and a half months. This large-scale movement underscores the urgent need for international attention and humanitarian assistance to address the plight of these vulnerable populations.
The testimonies and data reveal a troubling humanitarian crisis at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with deported Afghans facing severe mistreatment and deprivation. There is a pressing need for oversight, protection of migrant rights, and improved conditions in detention centers to prevent further suffering.
