Concerns are mounting for Afghan Christians living in Tajikistan, following reports that the federal government is attempting to expel Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.
Following many years of conflict in Afghanistan, culminating within the disastrous US withdrawal from the country in 2021, many Afghans have fled the country. It is believed that between 2021 and 2022 alone, 3.6 million Afghans fled to neighbouring countries like Pakistan and Iran, in addition to Tajikistan.
They don’t all the time receive a warm welcome, though. In the last 18 months Pakistan is believed to have deported 845,000 Afghans. Earlier this 12 months, Iran said it might be deporting 4 million Afghan migrants and refugees, although UN figures suggest 1.9 million Afghans have been faraway from Iran and Pakistan during the last seven months.
Tajikistan is reportedly considering following the instance of their larger neighbours, reports Premier Christian News.
Reports suggest that Tajik officials have been meeting Afghan refugees and asylum seekers and telling them that every one Afghans might be required to depart the country in lower than two weeks.
Over the least 10 months, 485 Afghans have been deported from Tajikistan, 334 of them being refugees or asylum seekers.
The small group of Christian converts among the many Afghans living in Tajikistan have said they fear being returned to a rustic controlled by the Taliban, and that repatriation could possibly be an efficient death sentence.
A letter by an anonymous Christian Afghan leader, published by Premier Christian News, said, “We, a community of Afghan believers, now reside in Tajikistan. Yet our situation is uncertain and stuffed with fear and hope mingled together. Many conflicting reports surround us – some bring fleeting comfort, while others strike terror in our hearts.
“Some of us face the specter of forced return – a return to not safety, but for a lot of, to the very mouth of death.”
The letter, which described the small Afghan Christian community as a “younger brother” within the worldwide family of believers, asked that the remainder of the body of Christ hear the cry of their suffering, pray for them, and act as a voice for them.
The letter concluded, “Do not let the religion of those dear ones be crushed under the load of exile and fear.”
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