The South Asia office of Amnesty International has launched a new campaign calling for the cancellation of the deportation program for Afghan migrants from Pakistan. In a statement, the office said that the aim of this campaign is to raise the voices of Afghan citizens who are at risk of illegal deportation from Pakistan. The statement quotes Babu Ram Pant, the regional deputy for South Asia at Amnesty International, as saying: "Afghan citizens, including refugees and asylum seekers, have been living in fear and anxiety since the announcement of the phased deportation plan by Pakistani authorities in October 2023. Many of these Afghans have been residing in Pakistan for over four decades." He further added: "The government of Pakistan is now seriously threatening their lives by insisting on policies that contradict its human rights commitments—especially the principle of non-refoulement." These statements come as the forced deportation process began three days ago in Peshawar. Additionally, Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, labeled the federal government's policy towards Afghan migrants as misguided during a press conference last Thursday. It is noteworthy that following the current regime's takeover in Afghanistan, a large number of civil activists, human rights defenders, women's rights advocates, journalists, LGBTQ+ individuals, former military personnel, and Afghans who collaborated with foreign forces in Afghanistan have fled to Pakistan and Iran due to fears of retaliation or to seek asylum in European and American countries. Some of them are still awaiting the processing of their asylum requests. Over the past three and a half years, Iran and Pakistan have forcibly deported thousands of migrants and imposed strict policies against them in these countries. Meanwhile, Iran and Pakistan have prohibited the employment of Afghan workers in several provinces and have intensified the process of forcibly deporting asylum seekers. During this time, extensive campaigns against Afghan migrants have been launched on social media by Iranian and Pakistani users.

Mohammad Hashim Salehi Modarres, the chairman of the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan, during the Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremony in western Kabul, called on the caretaker government to recognize the Shia sect and the personal status law for Shia Muslims. Mr. Modarres made these remarks on Monday, March 31, during the Eid al-Fitr prayer ceremony, and also called for respect for Shia religious ceremonies and for balance in developmental projects in Afghanistan. In part of his speech, he reiterated the demand for the current government to officially recognize the Shia sect, emphasizing three times that the recognition of the Shia sect is a primary demand of the Shia community in Afghanistan. It should be noted that the current government, after regaining power, has revoked the official status of the Shia sect and abolished the personal status law for Shia Muslims. Government officials have repeatedly stated that Sunni Islam is the official religion in Afghanistan and that courts and civil laws operate based on this religion. Additionally, the current government has collected books related to this sect from some universities and public libraries in central areas and provinces. The Shia sect was recognized in Afghanistan's constitution, and the personal status law for Shia Muslims was approved and endorsed by the previous Afghan parliament. Respect for Religious Freedom The chairman of the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan urged the current government to allow Shia Muslims to freely conduct their religious affairs, especially the mourning ceremonies of Ashura. He further emphasized: "We should not face obstacles in our religious ceremonies and rituals; whether during Ashura or in the holy month of Ramadan. No one has the right to prohibit the mourning ceremonies and gatherings of Shia Muslims." Balanced Development Mr. Salehi Modarres also called for attention to "balanced development" in Afghanistan and for considering the development and reconstruction of Hazara-inhabited areas. The chairman of the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan also stressed the importance of ensuring security for Shia Muslims. He stated that although relative security has been established in the country, two terrorist incidents occurred last year in Herat and Ghor. It should be noted that in Ghor province, armed individuals opened fire on 14 unarmed Hazara Shia civilians. This incident sparked widespread reactions both domestically and internationally. Additionally, in Herat province, several Shia scholars were killed in attacks by unidentified armed individuals. This comes at a time when over the past three and a half years, the Shia Scholars Council of Afghanistan has repeatedly raised similar demands.

The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that without immediate funding, programs aimed at preventing child malnutrition in Afghanistan, Yemen, and Syria may come to a halt within a few months. In a statement, the organization indicated that it requires $1.4 billion in funding to implement its programs in 56 countries in 2025. The announcement cautioned that budget shortfalls could disrupt global efforts to combat child malnutrition in these three countries. The statement quoted Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, saying: "If we do not act, we will condemn millions of children to a lifetime of suffering." The World Food Programme has faced severe financial difficulties, particularly following the suspension of aid from the United States. Last year, the U.S. provided $4.5 billion of the organization's $9.8 billion budget. The WFP provides food and cash assistance to individuals facing hunger due to agricultural shortages, conflicts, and climate change. Additionally, the organization stated that it needs $1.4 billion to treat malnutrition for 30 million mothers and children in 56 countries in 2025 and warned that this issue is on the rise globally due to wars. The Executive Director of the World Food Programme added that the organization's programs in Afghanistan may cease by May of this year. The organization also mentioned that it would reduce its programs in some other countries. It is noteworthy that malnutrition is a serious crisis in Afghanistan, particularly among children, with issues such as poverty and lack of access to proper healthcare and nutrition services hindering essential treatments and prevention efforts. OCHA, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, predicts that the number of malnourished children in Afghanistan will reach 3.5 million by 2025. According to United Nations reports, this figure has been around 3 million children under five over the past five years. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs states that by 2025, 22.9 million people in Afghanistan will require humanitarian assistance. This organization needs $2.24 billion in funding for its relief efforts. In 2024, OCHA requested $3.06 billion for humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan; however, according to the latest reports from the United Nations, only about 40% of this budget has been secured.

The Coalition of Sports and Rights has urged the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to facilitate the return of the Afghan women's football team to international competitions in order to stop the ongoing discrimination against its members who are in exile. In a report, the coalition stated that the draw for the preliminary round of the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup will take place in two days, but the Afghan women's national football team will be absent from this draw. The report noted that these competitions are a pathway to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. It further mentioned that this is the second consecutive World Cup qualifying cycle since 2021 from which the Afghan women's team has been excluded. It should be noted that according to FIFA's current regulations, the Afghan women's national football team must be approved by the Afghanistan Football Federation, which is under the control of the caretaker government, in order to participate in international competitions. Since regaining power, the caretaker government has banned women's sports and does not recognize women's sports teams in the country. The Afghan women's national football team and its supporters have repeatedly asked FIFA over the past three years to recognize them and provide financial support for their participation in international competitions. However, in response to the Coalition of Sports and Rights' letter, FIFA stated that it has developed programs to support Afghan female footballers both inside and outside the country but did not clarify whether it recognizes the Afghan women's national football team or not. According to Andrea Florence, Executive Director of the Coalition of Sports and Rights, "The ability of Afghan female footballers to play at an international level entirely depends on FIFA's intervention. FIFA's response to our report outlined their strategy for supporting women in Afghanistan. It is encouraging to hear that FIFA is working to create playing opportunities for these players, but we still hope they decide to recognize the team and provide them with financial support, just like other member associations." Additionally, Farishta Abbasi, Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated: "For these athletes, football is not just a passion; it is a fundamental act of resistance against the Taliban—a gesture of solidarity with their sisters who still live in Afghanistan. FIFA's recognition and support for this team would send a powerful message that the rights of Afghan women cannot be erased." Meanwhile, members of the Afghan women's national football team left the country after the current government's takeover and are now living in various countries around the world, including Australia, Portugal, Albania, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The Eid Bazaar in Herat was opened by the Union of Exporting Traders of Domestic Products with the aim of supporting small enterprises and marketing domestic products, and it will continue until the night of Eid. Muslim Rahju, the organizer of this exhibition, stated that 200 stalls have been designated for this Eid Bazaar, of which 126 stalls are allocated for women. Mr. Rahju emphasized that various products, including shoes, clothing, handicrafts, and special Eid items, have been showcased in these stalls. He added that one of the advantages of the Eid Bazaar is that goods are sold at a 20% discount compared to shops within the city, which has led to a great turnout from the public. Additionally, Islam Jar, the governor of Herat, during his visit to different sections of the exhibition, emphasized further support for domestic production and assured comprehensive cooperation from the local administration in marketing the products of manufacturing companies. Visitors to the Eid Bazaar mentioned that this exhibition is truly a great opportunity for families, and the prices are cheaper compared to the market while the quality of the products is excellent. However, the stallholders at this exhibition stated: "This Eid Bazaar is an excellent opportunity for us to introduce our products directly to customers, and the public's response has been very positive." Women participating in this exhibition expressed dissatisfaction with the decline in market sales of their products, rising raw material prices, and lack of access to support programs. Some industrialists cited the importation of similar goods, visa travel restrictions, and challenges related to raw materials as key obstacles to their work. They noted that the market for imported foreign goods in the country is still more vibrant than that for domestic products. While women showcased their artistic achievements, the current government has imposed severe restrictions on girls and women over the past three years. Currently, girls and women are unable to attend school and university. This government's action has resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education. In addition, women have been prohibited from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a mahram (male guardian), and working in domestic and international NGOs, as well as even in UN offices in Afghanistan.

Amnesty International states that the ban on education for girls in Afghanistan is unjustifiable and constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights to education. The organization made these remarks in a message posted on its X account to mark the beginning of the academic year in Afghanistan, stating that the de facto government must allow girls of all ages to attend school. It further emphasized that the current officials should abandon their pessimistic excuses to advance their discriminatory agendas. Amnesty International has also urged people worldwide to sign a petition to hold the current government accountable by the international community. Additionally, UNICEF has announced that with the start of the new academic year, nearly 400,000 more girls have been deprived of their right to education, bringing the total to 2.2 million. Catherine Russell, Executive Director of UNICEF, stated that this restriction continues to harm the future of millions of girls in Afghanistan. Ms. Russell stressed that if this ban continues until 2030, over four million girls will be deprived of education beyond primary school, with catastrophic consequences for both the girls and Afghanistan. While Amnesty International criticizes the educational restrictions on girls in Afghanistan, the de facto government has prohibited girls above the sixth grade from attending school, university, and participating in sports. This action by the current government has resulted in millions of schoolgirls being unable to receive an education. It is worth noting that, in addition, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international NGOs, as well as in UN offices in Afghanistan. Furthermore, the international community has repeatedly called on the current government to lift the educational restrictions on girls. However, the de facto government has yet to make any changes in this regard.