12/13/2021 Afghanistan (International Christian Concern) – As the crisis deepens for Afghans under Taliban rule, the United Nations is calling on neighboring countries to receive Afghans fleeing the country. Iran, Pakistan, and Tajikistan have been deporting Afghans in increasing numbers since the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and allied forces in August, even as Afghanistan continues to plunge further into a humanitarian disaster marked by severe hunger, food shortages, and other issues.
The Christian community in Afghanistan is especially threatened as they are considered a community of criminals by the Taliban. The Taliban’s extreme form of Islam and Shariah law designate Afghan Christians as apostates who deserve death. The idea of a “religious minority” group does not exist in the Taliban mindset, as leaving Islam is a criminal offense.
This puts Christians in severe danger, and many are trying to leave Afghanistan. The risk of neighboring countries deporting them makes their situation even direr.
The international community must work in unison to pressure countries neighboring Afghanistan to create an exit strategy for these at-risk Afghans.
“The international community cannot turn a blind eye to the evolving disaster in Afghanistan,” Matias Perttula, Director of Advocacy for International Christian Concern. said. “They must act to save the most at-risk Afghans from almost certain death. Christians have already been hounded and targeted, and the situation is only growing worse.”
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