A group of women and women's rights activists have recently sent a letter to Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, warning against the mass deportation of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Iran, describing it as a “silent death.” According to the letter, which was sent on Saturday, July 13, to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the forced deportations are described as a “clear violation of international human rights laws and refugee protection principles.” In the letter, the women and rights activists emphasized that the forced return of migrants, especially women, amounts to a “silent death.” The letter reads: “The current government's policies — including the ban on education, exclusion of women from society, and acts of violence such as flogging and torture — are a clear example of gender apartheid, and the return of refugee women to such a system is horrifying.” Arafat Jamal, the UNHCR representative in Afghanistan, also stated that the number of migrants being deported from Iran has reached nearly 50,000 people per day. According to UN statistics, more than 30,000 people enter Afghanistan daily through the Islam Qala border alone. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has announced that, in response to this situation, emergency measures have been launched to provide water, healthcare, nutrition, and vaccinations for thousands of people daily. The UNHCR emphasized that this process, without proper planning and preparation, could further worsen the already fragile conditions of thousands of Afghan families, and called for urgent humanitarian aid. The United Nations and international organizations have appealed for immediate financial assistance to address the needs of the migrants and the communities hosting them. It is noteworthy that following the war between Iran and Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran has begun the widespread expulsion of Afghan migrants. Tehran claims it is only deporting undocumented Afghan migrants; however, migrants report that the police have torn up their documents, including visas and passports, and deported them despite having legal documentation.

Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, states that supporting female athletes in Afghanistan, especially those in exile, symbolizes "courage and bravery" and serves as a form of resistance against restrictions. In an interview with CNN, Ms. Yousafzai expressed her desire for immediate and serious action from global sports organizations to recognize and support women's sports teams in Afghanistan. She emphasized, "They (international sports organizations) can certainly find opportunities for these players to compete. This is a form of resistance against the ruling government; when we empower Afghan women to play." She added, "The current government has literally banned women from sports, education, and work, and activists in Afghanistan refer to the current situation as 'gender apartheid.'" She pointed to the fate of the Afghan women's national football team, which went into exile after the current government's takeover in 2021 and is now based in Australia. Malala, who met with this team during the Women's World Cup, has urged FIFA to officially recognize them. However, despite FIFA's approval of an action strategy for women's football in Afghanistan, no official recognition for this team has yet been issued. Marsel Sadat, one of the players on the Afghan women's football team, also stated in the interview, "We have already missed the chance to compete in two World Cups. FIFA must act to stop gender discrimination and ensure that women and girls in Afghanistan are not forgotten." Malala Yousafzai referred to a recent initiative by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which formed a special group to support Afghan women cricketers in exile. She stressed, "We can do a lot for all Afghan women in exile who have put their lives at risk. Creating opportunities for women's football and cricket teams in Afghanistan is not only just but also sends a clear message to the current government that women will not remain silent." Ms. Yousafzai urged global sports organizations to challenge themselves to create social change, stating: "They cannot tell us that supporting these women is difficult. Sports belong to athletes, not to politicians or ideologies."

Amnesty International has recently stated that the international community remains confused in the face of Afghanistan's "disastrous situation," and a "coordinated and principle-based humanitarian action" regarding the situation in Afghanistan is urgently needed. In a statement, the organization welcomed the United Nations General Assembly resolution on Afghanistan and its calls for the repeal of the caretaker government's decrees against women and for investigations into ongoing and past human rights violations in Afghanistan. Amnesty International further emphasized that the United Nations and the global community must ensure that this resolution is accompanied by immediate and effective actions to support the human rights of all people in Afghanistan, particularly women and girls. It was noted that this resolution follows numerous Security Council resolutions on Afghanistan that have not yet been fully implemented. Amnesty International added that among these is Security Council Resolution 2681, issued in April 2023, which called on the current government to swiftly repeal all decrees that restrict the human rights of women and girls; this has still not been executed. Additionally, Amnesty International mentioned the situation of Afghan migrants and refugees, stating that they are in a state of uncertainty and are facing mass expulsions, arbitrary detentions, and difficult conditions, particularly in Iran and Pakistan. The organization noted that while there is a greater need than ever for resettlement programs for at-risk citizens of Afghanistan, several countries have halted these programs, while humanitarian aid budgets have also decreased. Amnesty International stated: "We reiterate that the human rights of the people of Afghanistan, including women, girls, and religious and ethnic minorities, are non-negotiable." The organization has called on the global community to "ensure the full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation of Afghan women and minorities in all decision-making processes, including UN-led initiatives." Two days ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution titled "Situation in Afghanistan" with 116 votes in favor, two against, and 12 abstentions. The United States and Israel voted against this resolution.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has announced that operations at 400 health centers in Afghanistan have ceased due to lack of funding, as part of a budget crisis that threatens the lives of millions of Afghan citizens. Tom Fletcher, deputy of this UN body, made these remarks during a five-day visit to Afghanistan, warning of the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country. From April 27 to May 2, Fletcher visited Kabul, Kandahar, and Kunduz, where he met with officials from the current government, aid workers, and vulnerable communities. In his meetings, he emphasized that the participation of female aid workers is crucial for effective and culturally appropriate assistance, and without their presence, access to vulnerable populations—especially women and children—is severely compromised. He further stressed: “Development without education and the full participation of girls is impossible.” According to the data provided, between January and April 2025, more than 180,000 migrants returned to Afghanistan following the second phase of deportations from Pakistan. Many of them, including holders of Afghan citizenship cards, are returning to a country that now feels unfamiliar after years of living in Pakistan. At border points such as Torkham and Spin Boldak, humanitarian organizations have established reception centers that provide basic services including food, water, medical care, and psychological support. However, these centers are under severe pressure due to the high number of returnees. OCHA reported that during his visit to these areas, Mr. Fletcher said: “For many returnees, Afghanistan is no longer a familiar home. They have no possessions, no social support. They are returning to a country they no longer know.” It is noteworthy that Afghanistan is among the most vulnerable countries to climate change. Since 1951, the country’s average temperature has risen by over 2.4°C, and forecasts indicate that annual droughts may become the norm by 2030. In this regard, Mr. Fletcher warned: “Groundwater levels have dropped by up to 30 meters in some areas, and in certain provinces, rainfall is up to 55% below normal. The future will be hotter and drier.” He concluded by calling on the international community: “We need more support—not just funding, but political commitment, human solidarity, and respect for humanitarian principles. The United Nations will stay, but without donor support, we cannot respond.”

Lina Haider, an eleven-year-old girl from Afghanistan, is likely the youngest student to have successfully obtained the Abitur (higher education diploma) in Germany and entered university. Reports indicate that Lina Haider, an 11-year-old girl residing in Bonn, succeeded in obtaining her Abitur at Sankt-Adelheid-Gymnasium, a school affiliated with the Diocese of Cologne, in the summer of 2025. It is further noted that Lina Haider, a resident of Bonn and from an Afghan immigrant family, has earned the title of "youngest student" in the country. She completed her secondary education in six years, while German students typically complete this stage in 12 or 13 years. According to reports, Lina has achieved success in her final exams (Abitur) due to her high intelligence, exceptional focus, and family support. She is now preparing to continue her studies in the field of medicine. She states, "I am happy anyway. I finally made it." She did not spend much time in class and overall completed only six years of schooling. Mikhail Germann, a coordinator for supporting talented students, says, "When you first see Lina, you might wonder what this six-year-old is doing here and why her parents brought her. But once you engage in conversation with her, you quickly realize: Oh, this is the right place, or at least it can be the right place." Christoph Oldöheime, the director of Sankt-Adelheid-Gymnasium in Bonn, describes this transition: "The leap from eighth grade to this gymnasium was truly difficult. It was a significant jump. Suddenly, we were faced with a child who was nine or ten years old in a secondary school setting. A bridge had to be built here." Lina is recognized as a highly gifted child (hochbegabt), but this has also presented challenges for the school. They had to provide support for her while continually adjusting the path to ensure everything remained manageable for her. Kristiane Graf, the coordinator for psychosocial counseling at the school, states: "We always tried to maintain balance; that she could remain a child while also growing intellectually." The Abitur is the final document of secondary education in Germany, issued after successful completion of nationwide exams and is a fundamental requirement for entry into universities in the country. Typically, German students obtain this document at the age of 18 or 19. Lina Haider's success at such a young age is not only an extraordinary event among Afghan immigrants but also across Germany. German media has reported that she is from the Hazara community in Afghanistan and was able to enter Germany through migration.

The World Food Program has recently announced that out of every three households headed by women, two families are unable to afford basic food items. Today (Thursday, July 3), the World Food Program published a message on its X account stating that last year, it provided lifesaving food assistance to 10 million women and children who have been most affected by food insecurity. In part of its message, the World Food Program emphasized that the need for assistance remains critical, and for many, food aid is the only way to survive. It further stated that half of Afghanistan's population is in need of assistance, while global aid to the country has significantly decreased. Meanwhile, neighboring countries are expelling Afghan migrants, exacerbating the situation. Additionally, the caretaker government has imposed severe restrictions on women's work and activities, making households headed by women more vulnerable. The World Food Program has consistently warned about the serious need for food assistance among citizens. However, United Nations agencies indicate that over 22 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance by 2025. This comes at a time when Donald Trump, the former President of the United States, significantly reduced aid programs, including the budget for the International Development Agency, as part of his efforts to cut unnecessary expenses. The budget for this agency was reduced while the U.S. was the largest humanitarian donor in the world, funding at least 38% of the aid provided by the United Nations globally in previous years.

The international organization Save the Children has recently announced that more than 80,000 Afghan children returned from Iran to Afghanistan during the month of June this year. In a published report, the organization stated that this number has doubled compared to the previous month, placing Afghanistan’s service infrastructure on the brink of collapse. Save the Children emphasized that 6,700 of these children were unaccompanied, and about 39% of them were forcibly returned from Iran. The report adds that following the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel on June 25 (5th of Saratan), more than 36,000 people entered Afghanistan from Iran in a single day. The report also quotes Samira Sidrahman, Advocacy Manager at Save the Children, as saying: “Many families arrive with only what they can carry. They are tired, frightened, and worried.” She further added: “The international community must not turn a blind eye to this situation. The time has come to take serious steps to save Afghan children and their families.” The report mentions that in response to the situation, two child-friendly support centers have been established in Herat to provide psychosocial services and safe play spaces for children. Recently, Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF’s Regional Director for South Asia, also stated that thousands of children are entering Afghanistan daily through Islam Qala and that they are in urgent need of assistance. This comes as just a few days ago, the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) warned that the forced deportation of Afghan migrants would destabilize the region and beyond. The agency wrote that over 1.2 million Afghan citizens were forced to return from Iran and Pakistan in 2025, further exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian crisis inside Afghanistan.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has recently announced that over nine million people in Afghanistan are living in informal settlements. In a report released today (Wednesday, July 2), the program stated that most of these individuals reside in vulnerable areas with limited or no access to clean water and health services. The report also highlighted the large-scale return of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, noting that many returnees are forced to live in informal settlements. According to the report, four out of every five urban residents live in informal housing. The report further states that the urban population currently stands at 30 percent, and it is projected to rise to 50 percent by 2060. Despite these challenges, UN-Habitat emphasizes the need to support the most vulnerable, strengthen resilience, and address climate change. Meanwhile, Iran and Pakistan have significantly increased the deportation of Afghan migrants this year, revoking the residency documents of millions. The Islamic Republic of Iran has declared the "Census Forms" of about two million Afghan migrants invalid. After two visits to offices known as “Kafalat Offices,” these individuals are issued exit permits. In recent months, deportations of Afghan migrants from Iran have intensified, with most of the deportees being families who had lived in Iran for many years.