Explained: Which countries are taking in Afghan refugees?

This case has solid a shadow of uncertainty on the way forward for Afghan nationals and a few nations have introduced their coverage on taking Afghan refugees. Right here’s a take a look at what a few of these insurance policies are.

Refugees world wide

As of 2020, there are about 2.8 million Afghan refugees overseas. The very best variety of refugees dwelling overseas belong to Syria, at 6.8 million, based on UNHCR.

A refugee is outlined as an individual who has been pressured “to flee his or her nation due to persecution, struggle or violence. A refugee has a well-founded worry of persecution for causes of race, faith, nationality, political opinion or membership in a specific social group. Almost certainly, they can’t return residence or are afraid to take action. Struggle and ethnic, tribal and spiritual violence are main causes of refugees fleeing their nations,” as per UNHCR.

A complete of 68 p.c of individuals displaced throughout borders belong to 5 nations — Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan and Myanmar.

General, on the finish of 2020, 82.4 million individuals have been displaced worldwide due to persecution, battle, violence and human rights violations. By way of consumption, Turkey hosts probably the most variety of refugees (principally from Syria) at over 4 million.

Which nations will take Afghan refugees?

US: On August 2, the US Division of State introduced the Precedence 2 (P-2) designation which grants US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) entry to sure Afghan nationals and their eligible members of the family.

“The U.S. goal stays a peaceable, safe Afghanistan. Nonetheless, in gentle of elevated ranges of Taliban violence, the U.S. authorities is working to supply sure Afghans, together with those that labored with america, the chance for refugee resettlement to america,” the Division of State mentioned in an announcement.

As per experiences, the US is anticipated to absorb over 10,000 Afghan nationals, which can principally embrace the individuals who helped the federal government.

UK: On August 18, the UK authorities introduced that those that have been pressured to flee their residence or face threats of persecution from the Taliban will likely be supplied a path to arrange residence within the UK completely. The federal government will resettle 5,000 Afghan nationals who’re in danger as a result of present disaster in the course of the first 12 months of the resettlement scheme, which can give precedence to girls, women and spiritual minorities. General, the UK goals to resettle 20,000 Afghan nationals via this scheme.

Canada: Canada has additionally promised to take 20,000 Afghan nationals.

Europe: Most European nations are cautious of taking in Afghan refugees fearing a repeat of the 2015 migrant disaster, when the picture of the physique of the three-year-old Syrian boy, Alan Kurdi, mendacity face down on a seashore close to Bodrum, Turkey, grew to become a logo of the refugee disaster and the chance many refugees took in making an attempt to cross over to the West utilizing water routes.

The UNHCR estimated that over 9 lakh refugees and migrants arrived on European shores in 2015, and roughly 3,500 of them misplaced their lives in the course of the journey. About 75 per cent of the incoming individuals have been fleeing battle or persecution in nations together with Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq.

In line with Statista, Austria, France and Sweden are different main locations for Afghan refugees in Europe. As per a European Union report, round 7,000 Afghans have been granted everlasting or non permanent authorized standing within the EU within the first quarter of 2021. Out of those, at the least 2,200 of them have been situated in Greece, 1,800 in France, 1,000 in Germany and round 700 in Italy.

“General, Afghan refugees had a 62 p.c likelihood of gaining recognition within the EU, although many are solely granted the non permanent proper to stay,” Statista notes.

India: India doesn’t have a separate statute for refugees, and till now has been coping with refugees on a case-by-case foundation.

India is just not a signatory to the 1951 Conference on Refugees or the 1967 Protocol Regarding the Standing of Refugees. In 2011, the Union authorities circulated to all states and Union Territories a Customary Working Process to take care of international nationals who claimed to be refugees.

Contemplating the current state of affairs in Afghanistan, India has launched a brand new class of e-visa for Afghan nationals to fast-track their purposes for entry into the nation. These visas will likely be legitimate for six months solely and it’s not clear what is going to occur after this era elapses.