The Afghan Peace Process: Prospects of Return for Displaced Afghans
The intra-Afghan peace process has raised hopes for displaced Afghans to return home. But without creating an environment that allows them to return voluntarily and integrate into society in a dignified manner, the peace process will fail to deliver sustainable solutions.
With peace talks between the Taliban leadership and the Afghan government currently underway in Doha, Afghanistan seems a little closer to the end of a decades long armed conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions of people in and outside Afghanistan. While the road to peace is rocky and long, the talks have raised hopes for many displaced Afghans to return home. But even if some form of power-sharing agreement with the Taliban is reached, a safe and dignified return of displaced Afghans is by no means guaranteed.
As the crisis in Afghanistan enters its fifth decade, there are still some 2,7 million Afghans displaced outside of Afghanistan, while another 2,6 million are displaced internally. Internally displaced Afghans fled affected communities, including in Helmand, Kandahar and Badghis provinces and moved to urbanised places, such as Herat and Nimruz. The vast majority of refugees crossing the border remain in Pakistan and Iran, Afghanistan’s neighbouring countries. Together they host 87 percent of all displaced Afghans outside of Afghanistan.
Abuse, economic hardships and deportation
Afghans in Iran and Pakistan have long faced systemic racism, abuse and economic hardship.
The current health and economic crisis sparked by the coronavirus pandemic has only exacerbated their situation. The mass spread in Iran and lack of job opportunities has driven many to return to Afghanistan. In March 2020 alone, some 100,000 returned home or moved elsewhere in Afghanistan. In addition to voluntary returns, hundreds of thousands of refugees have been forced out or deported, suffering inhumane and degrading conditions. The willingness to host and support refugees is clearly degrading in both Iran and Pakistan. Hence, it comes as no surprise that both countries have urged the international community to provide a time-bound and well-resourced programme for the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Records level of violence
Despite the risks of abuse, discrimination and deportation, migration continues to be the most favourable and often only option for Afghans. A study by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) found that a staggering one in free Afghans had migrated or been displaced between 2012 and 2018. Rising generalised violence and the intensifying conflict between the Taliban and government forces have been important drivers of displacement. 2018 recorded the highest number since the start of the conflict. The number of civilian casualties has dropped since, but in recent weeks the violence has intensified again. In fact, the last five weeks marked the highest level of violence in five years – a grim reminder of what is at stake in the peace talks ahead.
Facilitating safety, dignity and well-being
It is without question that violence needs to be reduced dramatically to facilitate a safe return for displaced Afghans. A potential peace agreement must, therefore, ensure an end to hostilities from all factions in Afghanistan and facilitate a safe return for both internally and externally displaced Afghans. An ongoing study by Ali Wardak and Kate Williams among 1,000 internally displaced Afghans found that many refugees want a peace agreement that ensures the protection of their dignity and well-being. As one man who was interviewed in Badakhshan said: “Our dignity would be better protected if we were in our village. If it was safe we could return. To me, dignity means a peaceful life and being safe.”
However, bringing an end to the armed conflict and ensuring peace and security is far from sufficient to facilitate the return of displaced Afghans. According to the same study, multidimensional support including, jobs, education, health and basic needs (shelter, food, and water) is found to be of equal importance. Similarly, research conducted by the IOM has shown that the top five challenges for returnees are food insecurity, shelter, land, livelihoods and access to services, including healthcare and civil documentation.
