Campaigns in support of Afghan activists and human rights
Campaigns to support Afghan activists — emerged after the Taliban took over Afghanistan, and some civil society organizations turned to crowdfunding to finance rescue and humanitarian activities. During this time, initiatives by the International Committee of the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations emerged. As well as campaigns such as «Voices of Afghan Girls» and «60 Afghan Women Leaders» aimed at canceling the deportation of Afghan women activists, organized after reports of the Pakistani government's intention to mass deport Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan. As part of the campaigns, human rights organizations have been involved in rescuing women, organizing their relocation and helping them obtain humanitarian visas.
Background
After the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, severe restrictions were imposed on women. Since coming to power, the Taliban have gradually imposed increasing restrictions on Afghan women's movement, presence in public places, access to education and health care, and right to work. This has prompted women to migrate and seek political asylum in other countries. Women who have been unable to leave due to lack of financial resources or access to information are at increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Pakistan has increased pressure on Afghan refugees to leave the country despite the serious risk of persecution and economic hardship under Taliban rule. The campaign aims to express the position of Afghan women and men on peace and human rights, based on the idea that peace cannot be achieved in exchange for rights and freedom. The campaign took place against the backdrop of U.S. attempts to negotiate peace with the Taliban. The campaign was shared on social media under the hashtag #MyRedLine.
Voices of Afghan girls
In 2023, the one-month campaign «Voices of Afghan Girls» was launched in collaboration with Afghan student Somaya Farooqi and Education Cannot Wait by the UN. It was organized on the second anniversary of the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan. The goal of the campaign is to bring the stories of Afghan girls to the public and the world community, and to push for the restoration of their right to education,
Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called on the Pakistani government to immediately halt the deportation of Afghan nationals, the persecution of refugees, and to “give those facing deportation the opportunity to seek protection,” stating that the Pakistani authorities' actions violate the principle of non-refoulement enshrined in international human rights law.
Netherlands feminist activist Nadja Muller organized a petition and the eponymous “60 Afghan Women Leaders” campaign on the change.org platform in an attempt to stop the deportation of women. She launched a petition asking for time for the women and their families to obtain humanitarian visas and move from Pakistan to third countries.
The petition was addressed to the government of Pakistan and the Netherlands. The petition spread massively on social media and especially on TikTok with the hashtag #SaveAfghanWomen. As of early April 2025, the petition has been signed by about 500,000 people. This was confirmed by petition organizer and activist Muller.
As of early April, it was reported that the Pakistani government had agreed to postpone the deportations. The Associated Press agency with reference to official documents reported that arrests and deportations were postponed until April 10 in connection with the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr.
Opinions
According to the British edition Financial Times, one of the reasons for the tightening of migration policy in Pakistan was a sharp decline in international funding. In 2023, the U.S. provided 42 % of the humanitarian aid budget to accommodate Afghan refugees in Pakistan. With return to power, almost all foreign policy initiatives, including resettlement and refugee assistance programs, have been frozen.
Background
After the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021, severe restrictions were imposed on women. Since coming to power, the Taliban have gradually imposed increasing restrictions on Afghan women's movement, presence in public places, access to education and health care, and right to work. This has prompted women to migrate and seek political asylum in other countries. Women who have been unable to leave due to lack of financial resources or access to information are at increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence. Pakistan has increased pressure on Afghan refugees to leave the country despite the serious risk of persecution and economic hardship under Taliban rule. The campaign aims to express the position of Afghan women and men on peace and human rights, based on the idea that peace cannot be achieved in exchange for rights and freedom. The campaign took place against the backdrop of U.S. attempts to negotiate peace with the Taliban. The campaign was shared on social media under the hashtag #MyRedLine.
Voices of Afghan girls
In 2023, the one-month campaign «Voices of Afghan Girls» was launched in collaboration with Afghan student Somaya Farooqi and Education Cannot Wait by the UN. It was organized on the second anniversary of the Taliban's seizure of power in Afghanistan. The goal of the campaign is to bring the stories of Afghan girls to the public and the world community, and to push for the restoration of their right to education,
Human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called on the Pakistani government to immediately halt the deportation of Afghan nationals, the persecution of refugees, and to “give those facing deportation the opportunity to seek protection,” stating that the Pakistani authorities' actions violate the principle of non-refoulement enshrined in international human rights law.
Netherlands feminist activist Nadja Muller organized a petition and the eponymous “60 Afghan Women Leaders” campaign on the change.org platform in an attempt to stop the deportation of women. She launched a petition asking for time for the women and their families to obtain humanitarian visas and move from Pakistan to third countries.
The petition was addressed to the government of Pakistan and the Netherlands. The petition spread massively on social media and especially on TikTok with the hashtag #SaveAfghanWomen. As of early April 2025, the petition has been signed by about 500,000 people. This was confirmed by petition organizer and activist Muller.
As of early April, it was reported that the Pakistani government had agreed to postpone the deportations. The Associated Press agency with reference to official documents reported that arrests and deportations were postponed until April 10 in connection with the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr.
Opinions
According to the British edition Financial Times, one of the reasons for the tightening of migration policy in Pakistan was a sharp decline in international funding. In 2023, the U.S. provided 42 % of the humanitarian aid budget to accommodate Afghan refugees in Pakistan. With return to power, almost all foreign policy initiatives, including resettlement and refugee assistance programs, have been frozen.
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