29.07.2003 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Situation remains volatile; profiles of persons who could be at particular risk of persecution or discrimination (former members of Communist Party PDPA; certain profiles of women, ethnic and religious minorities; alleged supporters of the Taliban regime) (German) ("UNHCR-Stellungnahme zur Frage der Flüchtlingseigenschaft afghanischer Asylsuchender (aktualisierte Zusammenstellung)") [#14757],  [ID 1502]

Document(s): Open document

10.07.2002 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR: Considerations on return: continuing protection concerns ("UNHCR Note on Basic Considerations Regarding Returns to Afghanistan from Non-Neighbouring States") [#8238],  [ID 1503]

"Current changes are indeed generally conducive to safe return; remaining protection concerns for parts of the country with very real security concerns (particularly in the north and some parts of the central region) and members of certain groups with protection vulnerabilities. [...] only voluntary return advised; return process for Afghans without protection needs should be phased, coordinated, orderly and humane and under consideration of accomodation facilities; Afghans with legal status should maintain that status; resettlement programmes should continue."

"4. Claims still deserving of particular attention are those emanating from parts of the country where there are still very real security concerns (particularly in the north and some parts of the central region), information about which will need to be updated on a regular basis. Also deserving of particular attention are asylum applications of members of certain groups with protection vulnerabilities.
[…]
9. The current phenomenon of large scale returns should not be considered a justification for the suspension of all resettlement processing from neighbouring countries. Resettlement will remain a solution for some individuals with a particular protection profile, such as women at risk, refugees with specific protection problems in countries of first asylum and traumatized victims of torture."

Document(s): Open document

02.2002 - Source: UN High Commissioner for Refugees

UNHCR : Preliminary Position Paper on the Return of Afghan Refugees ("Preliminary Position Paper: Considerations relating to the return of Afghan nationals who are currently outside their country of origin, in countries of asylum not in the immediate region") [#6493],  [ID 1504]

"Notwithstanding the positive changes and the efforts of the international community, there remain individuals or groups of Afghans, who could face serious problems, including physical danger, were they to return at this time. Currently available information on Afghanistan indicates that, among others, persons of the following profiles might be at risk of violence, harassment or discrimination:
• Persons at risk of persecution on political grounds by groups now in control of their area
of origin;
• Persons originating and returning to areas where they constitute an ethnic minority;
• Persons who have sympathised with or are perceived to have been associated with the
Taliban regime which came to power in Kabul in 1996;
• Persons associated or perceived to have been associated with the Communist, premujaheddeen regime which was overthrown in 1992, as well as others who have campaigned for a secular state.

Vulnerable Groups

UNHCR considers that persons finding themselves in particularly vulnerable circumstances should not be required to return but rather should be allowed to prolong their stay on humanitarian grounds until special and co-ordinated arrangements can be put in place, on a case by case basis, to facilitate their safe and orderly return and appropriately receive them in Afghanistan. This includes individuals in the following categories:
• handicapped and ill individuals, or families with handicapped or ill members;
• female-headed households and women without effective male protection in Afghanistan;
• the unaccompanied elderly;
• unaccompanied minors;
• landless Afghans, particularly those originating from food-insecure areas.
attention.
In addition, the claims of traumatised individuals, such as victims of torture or particularly egregious forms of violence (for example, ex-detainees, or women who may have suffered sexual abuse), or witnesses to crimes against humanity, will require special attention.”

2002.02.00 UNHCR - Originaltitel: "Preliminary Position Paper: Considerations relating to the return of Afghan nationals who are currently outside their country of origin, in countries of asylum not in the immediate region"

Document(s): hcr-afg-pos02.pdf