This event is co-hosted by DEGLOBAL and PRIO, and supported by the BEYOND project.
About the event
Pakistan is not a party to the International Refugee Convention 1951 and the 1967 Protocol. It does not have any national legislation dealing with refugees. Yet, in the absence of any legal framework, the country has been hosting millions of refugees of Afghan origin for over 40 years. In this context, the UNHCR has been partnering with the Pakistani state to manage, support, and protect refugees. Sitting outside of this institutional partnership, are the important, yet, seldom heard voices of human rights activists, grass-root NGOs, lawyers, and academics.
This discussion forum will bring together human rights activists and academics from Pakistan and researchers at the University of Oslo, PRIO, and University of Tromsø to exchange views on the state of refugee rights in Pakistan and the role of civil society groups in advocating and supporting refugees. The focus will be on Afghan refugees.
Since 2023, Pakistan has expelled thousands of Afghan refugees. Those who remain in Pakistan are subjected to harassment, intimidation, extortion, and arbitrary arrests. Civil society groups have been expressing concerns over the violation of refugee rights and have urged the government to stop this ongoing forced expulsion. In this discussion forum, we will hear about their concerns and challenges in supporting Afghan refugees and advocating on their behalf.
Speakers
Harris Khalique, Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
Dr. Arshi Saleem-Hashmi, Professor Peace and Conflict Studies, National Defence University of Pakistan
Dr. Farhat Taj, Associate Professor, University of Tromsø
The discussion will be moderated by Professor Marta Bivand Erdal. Dr. Arjumand Bano Kazmi will offer introductory remarks.
Registration
Register for the discussion here.
The event will take place at PRIO, Hausmanns gate 3, Oslo. Refreshments will be served from 16:30.