From Testimony to Action
Protection Concerns and Urgent Needs of Afghan Human Rights Defenders, Women Protesters, Journalists, Former Military Personnel, Artists, and LGBTQ+ Individuals in Pakistan
Executive Summary
This policy paper is based on an online dialogue organized by Dialogue Hub for Common Ground and the Women’s Justice Movement, bringing together Afghan human rights defenders, women protesters, journalists, former military personnel, artists, and LGBTQ+ advocates currently residing in Pakistan.
The discussion highlighted the increasingly precarious situation faced by Afghan refugees and at-risk activists in Pakistan following the political transition in Afghanistan in 2021. Participants described a deteriorating protection environment characterized by fear of deportation, arbitrary detention, police harassment, economic insecurity, restricted access to healthcare, and prolonged uncertainty regarding relocation pathways.
The testimonies revealed that many Afghan refugees, including individuals holding valid visas, residency documents, or pending resettlement cases for third countries, continue to face detention, intimidation, and forced displacement inside Pakistan. Participants also reported widespread discrimination in access to housing, employment, healthcare, and legal protection.
Particularly vulnerable groups, including women protesters, journalists, LGBTQ+ individuals, artists, and former military personnel, face heightened risks due to their visibility, activism, or previous affiliations in Afghanistan. Many participants emphasized the severe psychological burden caused by prolonged insecurity, fear of forced return, family separation, and uncertainty about the future.
The discussion further highlighted that the absence of coordinated international protection mechanisms has left many at-risk Afghans trapped in legal limbo, with limited access to humanitarian assistance or durable solutions.
The central finding is clear:
The current situation is not only a humanitarian crisis, but also a protection and human rights emergency requiring urgent international action.
