"Governments should take the lead from UNHCR. Encouraging returns or forcibly returning refugees at this tender stage in Afghanistan's transition is premature, irresponsible and unsustainable," Amnesty International said.
Amnesty International is particularly concerned about the approach that is being taken by a number of states to refugee returns. The so-called "wave" of asylum seekers in countries such as Australia, Belgium, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom, is but a trickle when compared with the massive displacement from such conflicts as those in Angola, Colombia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
"Those making decisions on Afghan asylum claims must be bound solely by international standards for protection, rather than any domestic political agenda," Amnesty International urged.
** On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Amnesty International welcomes the award by UNHCR of the Nansen medal, the highest international accolade for services to refugees, to the Captain of the MV Tampa, Arne Rinnan, who rescued 434 asylum seekers amidst an international standoff between Australia, Indonesia and Norway in late August 2001.
Amnesty International is particularly concerned about the approach that is being taken by a number of states to refugee returns. The so-called "wave" of asylum seekers in countries such as Australia, Belgium, France, Sweden and the United Kingdom, is but a trickle when compared with the massive displacement from such conflicts as those in Angola, Colombia, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
"Those making decisions on Afghan asylum claims must be bound solely by international standards for protection, rather than any domestic political agenda," Amnesty International urged.
** On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Amnesty International welcomes the award by UNHCR of the Nansen medal, the highest international accolade for services to refugees, to the Captain of the MV Tampa, Arne Rinnan, who rescued 434 asylum seekers amidst an international standoff between Australia, Indonesia and Norway in late August 2001.